Welcome Post - Hello All!

[Nils Hay]

Hello All,

I just wanted to introduce myself and make my first post. My name is Nils Hay, and I am a 22 year old college student. I will be finishing school in December and starting full time work after the first of the year. I am going to school for Civil Engineering with a minor in Structural Engineering. I will be graduating with no debt and about 20K saved up to start my career. The company I am with this summer plans to hire all the interns that they think are worthy (there is plenty of room). I anticipate receiving an offer for a structural engineering position but don't officially have one yet. I have the option of moving to Salt Lake City , Minneapolis, Raleigh or staying home in the Chicago suburbs when I start.  This is where I have a few question about whats next in my life. 

-What are your thoughts on each of these 3 markets? (anybody currently investing in these 3?)

-Any tips you could go back and give early 20's version of yourself?

Thanks for all the help and knowledge!

*I am looking into buying a 2-4 plex as a starter with my strategy being buy and hold/cash flow.*

[Alyssa Strom]

Welcome @Nils Hay! Love that you are thinking ahead. A house hack is a great first step. You get hands-on experience with being a landlord and property management that you can't learn from a book. Along with @Matt J.'s advice of building your network in whatever city you choose (lenders/investors/agents/vendors). I can only speak on Minneapolis but it has gotten more difficult to find cash flow deals here. Awesome market (and city!) that should continue to appreciate and I will continue to invest in but lots of competition and prices have made it a bit more challenging to find "deals". I'd run the numbers on some current MF properties for sale in each city you mentioned, decide where you'd prefer to live and then start networking before you make the move. The advice I wish I would have received is to get started sooner, the advice I'd give now is to buy right. If I can answer any more questions about the Minneapolis market let me know and best of luck to you!