Advice for a 24-Year-Old Buying Her First Duplex in California

[Danita Young]

Hi everyone,

I’m a 24-year-old based in California, and I’m in the process of purchasing my first duplex as a long-term investment. I’ve been grinding for the past year and have saved nearly $20K for a down payment. My goal is to house hack—live in one unit and rent out the other to offset the mortgage.

While I’m super excited, I’m also feeling a bit stuck on where to buy. California has some pricey markets, but I know there are still some gems out there for first-time investors. I’m looking for a location that’s:

• Affordable enough to work with my current savings (FHA loan possible)

• Landlord-friendly and good for buy-and-hold strategies

• Decent rental demand

• Relatively safe for a young woman living on-site

I’d love to hear from investors who’ve done something similar or are familiar with good duplex markets in Cali. Any suggestions on cities or neighborhoods that check these boxes? I’m also open to tips on how to approach this first deal the smart way.

Thanks in advance—I really appreciate this community!