Newbie examining potential markets, curious about Austin...

[Bruce Mac]

Brand new to REI and in the process of just acquiring knowledge before diving in anywhere.

Since I live in the SF Bay market craziness, I'm looking into opportunities out of the area.

I know Austin has been a hot market recently, and as such may not have much available (in the cash flow sense), but I'll be visiting there next week and curious if it's worth reaching out to a realtor there to take a look around.

I figure when I'm ready, I'll probably look to buy-and-hold a single family or multi family that starts with cash flow.  I realize this may not be available in the Austin market, but reaching out to the community just incase it's worth looking into while I'm there.

Price wise I'm pretty open so long as the numbers look good (although as a newbie I don't want to stretch myself to far as I'm learning).

[Bob H.]

@Bruce Mac, property taxes are out of control in the Austin area. Counties reassess property with significantly higher values annually, and local governments assume that they are entitled to a corresponding increase in spending. Check recent tax increases on properties you consider, expect the same in the future and then compare those increases with what the market will allow in rent increases.