Californian new to REI - looking for out-of-state rental property

[Ben Callahan]

Hey everyone! Nice to meet you (electronically).

Currently renting a single-family home in a very expensive coastal Southern California city. Not able to buy in this area without going house poor. Not able to move (at least for a while) due to my job.

Looking to use savings that would’ve been for a primary residence down payment to invest in rental property out of state.

Would love to make connections, hear thoughts on good markets to look into, strategies to maximize return, etc. 

Happy to answer any questions and excited to chat with you all!

[Sadler Surratt]

Hi @Ben Callahan 

Welcome to BP! 

Markets like Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Little Rock, and Birmingham offer affordability, strong rental demand, and consistent returns. If you're looking for a mix of appreciation and cash flow, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Huntsville could also be great options.

Have you thought about what type of investment strategy fits your goals—long-term rentals, turnkey investing, or something else? Happy to chat and help however I can!