Newbie coming to San Antonio, TX! Army RN; former hitchhiker

[Jeffrey L Jerschina]

Hi there, fellow Bigger Pocketeers!

I'm Jeff J, an Army nurse in my mid-20s. My pursuit of financial independence exposed me to dozens of FI sites and real estate kept coming up there and from my brother, who's also in the Army. I'm originally from NJ, have been working as an Army nurse in Germany since 2017, and anticipate moving to Texas in early 2021. 

My 1st property goal is a househack. The MFH/duplex market in San Antonio looks pretty tight, so I plan on renting initially while looking for the "worst house in a great neighborhood" to move into and fix up.

I'm working my way through the BP Real Estate podcast and am excited for the BP Newbie podcast that just came out. Recent reads are Rich Dad Poor Dad, Millionaire Next Door, and halfway through Millionaire Real Estate Investor. Looking forward to the Book on Rental Property Investing next!

I'm currently learning more about different kinds of financing. As a military member, the VA homeowner loan holds great appeal because there's no PMI and 0% down required, although it comes with limits and residence/"intent to reside" requirements- and doesn't always beat conventional financing!

Can anyone share their experiences with the VA loan, positive or negative? I've read some of David DeChon and David Pere's posts and they've been remarkably helpfu in understanding criteria and the full potential, and I want to hear more experiences.

Look forward to seeing everyone around on the forums. I'll be lurking more than posting at first while I learn from the big brains rolling deep around here! 

[Jeffrey L Jerschina]

@Joseph Cacciapaglia

I see that theme on BP alot- SFH are typical to start out in and simpler, but over time investors gravitate towards MFH and wish they started there. Great duplex strategy with a renter and roommate- in the perfect real estate world of my mind I'd like to do just that, although I guess my wife is my roommate! Congrats on scoring a win with your first property.

I'm not particularly picky on area of town- the property will be more of a house rather than a home, and my big priority is a sub 25 minute commute to FSH. Any particular neighborhoods, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm from Bayonne, just south of JC and Bergen! North Jersey is a great place to grow up, I went to school in central Ohio and really missed the people you run into in NJ.