All Forum Posts by: Erin L.

@Walt Payne , wrong Erin… @Erin Weiss see above comment

never mind, I was finally able to play the video… wow sounds like a bass guitar not a well pump :)

it's not the well pump? (if you have one?) I had tenants that didn't know what a pump was so they were initially freaked over the noise when it kicks on under the crawlspace

Enlisted here, didn't buy duplex until the E-4 level though. You really want to get through the first couple years of basic, A-school, C-schools and knowing what areas your rate will put you for "most" of the time. Certain rates and fields have some areas they may only see for schools, for others they can spend the majority of their career there if they wish. Spend those first few years researching and planning and saving - will save you lots of headaches in the future!

Lease in her name only, she will be responsible for the rent being paid based on her own income, which should be sufficient if her credit is good and the rent is below BAH rate.

Mine was a duplex for 168K in Virginia Beach, 3b/2b each side. Needed roof, windows, HVAC after that along with cosmetics.

Hello and welcome! I am also in Virginia Beach, my husband is at a squadron at Oceana, and are from the midwest (Minnesota). We own a duplex rental property here in Virginia Beach and are mostly of the buy/hold mentality to supplement eventual retirement income in 6 years. We are undecided as to whether to continue with another property here or start focusing on the Twin Cities area so we are also in the strategy planning process. You will find tons of information here!

We are moving to Pax River, @Paul Cox . I have read that book as well along with a few others and we are deep in that plan as well, and can't wait to be free of "stupid debt"! We have about 5 years left before military retirement so we are in the stage of really assessing what we want to do and where we want to be living. This has been a great area financially and rental market wise, along with good schools for the kids but I am originally from Minnesota so I would like to get back north but it will all be driven by the job market and checking out the investment potential in the Twin Cities (which looks good). I have to admit the thought of all the great older home duplexes and triplexes that Mpls/St. Paul has to offer is tempting, but I also know enough now to be afraid of rehab costs adding up for those grand old homes! Good luck in your search and investigation of the D.C. area!

Everyone starts out clueless, and some just progress faster than others! We kind of "fell" into it and only have the one duplex, but we certainly learned some lessons over the past 10 years as we have renovated the whole thing DIY along with living in the duplex. I like to think that gave us a reality check and good perspective for the future on how much work a property might need and cost. We are transferring to MD at the end of summer but hope to be back in VB when that tour is over. We have managed to stay here for 14 years so far, and while we don't intend to retire here, the area has been good financially and we are happy with the schools for our kids.

Welcome! I am also in Virginia Beach, a veteran with spouse still active. We own a duplex near Oceana and hope to do more in a few years. I'm open to other areas but the Virginia Beach market has been very good to us. Easy to get tenants that stay with the right property. Moving is stressful enough for military members so they tend to stay and not move for their whole tour. This forum is an incredible resource, enjoy and good luck! If you want to get together to talk sometime let me know, I handle finding tenants, leasing, money and general communication stuff, my husband handles all the rehab/repair DIY mostly so while not experts we do have some experience we don't mind sharing. (and stories, of course!)