New Investor, All Advice Welcome

[Rob Cassagne]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to real estate investing and am eager to make my first rental property purchase. I’m currently exploring both short-term and long-term rentals but haven’t decided which route to take yet—so I’d really appreciate any advice from those with experience!

I’m based in Long Island, NY, and planning to leverage the equity in my primary residence to fund this first deal. I'm especially interested in strategies for using a HELOC or other ways to access equity.

Location-wise, I’m flexible but leaning towards the East Coast, preferably in a warmer climate. My main goal is to prioritize cash flow while keeping an eye on long-term appreciation.

If anyone has insights on markets that might be a good fit, tips for first-time investors using home equity, or anything else I should be thinking about, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking forward to learning from this amazing community and connecting with like-minded investors.

Thanks, and excited to be here!