Returning Member from Germany/ Hawaii

[Christina Pribilla]

Hi BP Community!

I still think this page is awesome and there is nothing better to learn about investing than to connect with awesome people on here. 

I had to have a break for a year, moved from Hawaii to my home country Germany but looking at moving back to the States within the next year approx. Probably to the mainland.

I used to be a Real Estate Agent in Hawaii in 2014 but found that investing in that market is really hard looking at the numbers. So I decided to look at out of state investing. 

Since I had to break, I am now starting all over again to get all the info together, trying to find the right markets and more than anything else: Trying to find people I can exchange experiences with and connect to. 

I am hoping to be of value to some of you although I cannot nd do not want to beat the long term and very experienced investors on here. I really want to gain experience and in the future be one of the mentors. But as Warren Buffet said: "everything takes time and you cannot produce a baby in a month by getting nine women pregnant".

What do you think are the best markets to invest in on a low budget ( $ 20K) .

Since I am a foreign investor it is probably a little harder to get deals through with loans on that end although my credit is pretty ok. The plan is to move to a city or its suburbs, where I can keep a day job and buy up to a fourplex, rent out the remaining apartments to live rent free and then go from there. 

I appreciate any comments. 

Best wishes from Germany!

[Ben Biggs]

@Christina Pribilla

Welcome Back! 

I like that Warren Buffet quote. Love that guy. 

As far as under $20k goes, I would check out states like, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and other southern states. These generally seem to be cheaper than the midwest, and there are some up an coming college towns that you can get pretty good cash flowing rentals in. I would check the areas 1-2 hours out from major cities like Little Rock and Atlanta. 

I don't think the fact that you're a foreign investor will matter, actually it may help you. I know that the U.S. is giving tax incentives for foreigners to invest in Real Estate now. My wife is not a U.S. Citizen and having her co-sign on my current duplex actually helped me get a higher loan pre-approval because her credit is better than mine! 

Be careful about any limiting assumptions, they're probably just not true!