Owner Occupant to Investment Property

[Robert Thum]

Hello everyone, first time poster, first time buyer.

I’m looking to purchase a house that my family will live in for 2-3 years. The issue arises after that. We found a home within (the top of) our budget that will be great while we’re there. When we move, we wanted to use it as an investment property.

Issues:

- We can afford the mortgage with a minimal down payment, but that leaves very little room for profit once we start renting.

- If we put down payment that makes the mortgage/rent math profitable, I’m worried about the value of the home dropping if/when the market drops and we’re waist deep in a losing property.

If the market drops too much in the next few years, I won’t have an option to sell, I’ll be forced into using it as a rental, I just worry about profitability as a rental.

Am I overthinking this? What am I not considering as I work towards a deal?