Software Dev looking to invest in Rental Properties

[Sawyer Burnett]

Hi All,

I've been listening to bigger pockets for a couple of months now after learning more about Financial Independence and realizing I don't want to work full time for the next 30 years.

I'm currently living in Chandler AZ which is a suburb of Phoenix.

My current goals are researching house hacking opportunities and getting my first property. I have been renting since I finished college around 10 years ago because I wanted to be 'mobile' but I now realize I can always convert property to rentals if I need to move.

I would love to hear about other investors who have information about the Phoenix / Chandler market.

[Randy K.]

@Lane Kawaoka, Phoenix (as well as most of the East Valley, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, etc.) has a large selection of semiconductor companies that tend to go in cycles of mass hiring and laying off once demand slows. Intel being the most well known, which not too long ago made headlines with their plans for a $7B facility (http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/02/08/intel-investing-7-billion-in-chandler-facility.html). If referring to literal copper jobs, such as the mining industry, most of that is out in smaller towns, typically to the east. Superior, Kearny, Miami, and Globe come to mind, but I don't know too many people that are willing to make the commute from the Phoenix area out there.

@Sawyer Burnett, judging by another one of your posts, sounds like you're seeing the same thing up there as I am down here in Casa Grande. Most small multi-family is either in disrepair, or in a less-than-desirable neighborhood, if not both. I think you might be onto something regarding buying a larger house and simply renting to roommates. Depending on your situation, I don't see why it couldn't be a viable option. At the same time, I'd recommend keeping your eye out for duplexes, triplexes, and quads, don't give up on them yet, haha. I just recently learned of several properties in my area that I didn't know were even there. Seems like most small multifamily buildings near me are sort of bunched together in clusters, perhaps it's the same around you? Eventually you might find a group that's in a neighborhood you're more comfortable with.