Hi Nate,
Congrats on your third deal and finding your permanent home! It's awesome that you're looking to stay in the real estate game while minimizing risk. Here's a breakdown of strategies you can consider:
1. House Hacking with a Twist
- Rent out rooms: Even though you're living in the property, you can still generate income by renting out spare bedrooms. This can help offset your mortgage payment and potentially even create positive cash flow.
- Consider an accessory dwelling unit (ADU): If your property allows for it, building an ADU (like a small apartment or guest house) can provide a separate rental unit while you live in the main house.
2. Invest in a Rental Property
- Use your equity: You could leverage the equity in your current home to purchase a rental property. With $100k in equity, you might be able to secure financing for a smaller rental property without significantly increasing your housing payment.
- Look for properties with positive cash flow: Focus on finding properties where the rental income covers the mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and other expenses, leaving you with positive cash flow each month.
3. Explore Wholesaling
- No need to own or live in the property: Wholesaling involves finding deeply discounted properties and assigning the contract to another buyer for a fee. You don't need to use your own capital or credit.
- Lower risk: Since you're not buying the property yourself, you're not taking on the risks associated with ownership, like vacancies or repairs.
4. Partner with Other Investors
- Pool resources: Partnering with other investors allows you to combine your capital and expertise to invest in larger or more complex deals that you might not be able to do on your own.
- Shared risk: By sharing the investment, you also share the risk.
5. Focus on Education and Networking
- Build your knowledge: Continue learning about different real estate investing strategies and market trends to make informed decisions.
- Connect with other investors: Network with experienced investors in your area to gain insights and potentially find partnership opportunities.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
- Thorough due diligence: Always conduct thorough due diligence on any property before investing, including inspections, appraisals, and market analysis.
- Conservative financing: Avoid over-leveraging yourself. Opt for loan terms and interest rates that you can comfortably manage.
- Build reserves: Set aside cash reserves to cover unexpected expenses, like vacancies or repairs.
- Consult with professionals: Seek advice from real estate agents, lenders, attorneys, and tax professionals to ensure you're making informed decisions.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The best approach for you will depend on your specific financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment goals.
I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.
Best
Gernide