Goals of Real Estate - For something nice now or later

[Julie Marquez]

Hello BP. I'm a new real estate investor myself, thought I am the child of a successful investor as my dad has lots of rentals and has always acted as the property manager. I have one SFR that's doing great.

I am about to be homeless and have the opportunity to buy a beautiful new home in the perfect location. I currently rent. This new build home gives me the opportunity to rent out a mother-in-law portion, so that my own expenses wouldn't be any more than I currently spend on rent. So my overall monthly cash flow remains the same.

Or, I could keep renting, keep saving my $2000 a month, to add to my current savings of $30,000, and wait for a 4-plex, duplex, or SFR that could be a possibility in the near (or not near) future. But I will never know the future.

I am conflicted. I could buy a purely income property that will give me a better foundation for the future, and live in a mediocre rental (or my dad's spare bedroom, but no thanks). Or I could live for me and my future husband and we could have a beyond beautiful place that makes my heart so happy, but then I would be out my cash if an investment deal came up soon.

I want to be practical and think for my future, but I also want a home (I have been living so sub-par and saving for the past years). How do beginner investors get over this idea of saving too much, and when can I start living for me?