For many of these hybrid and remote employees today, the main attraction to living in and around a major city like D.C. is the easy access to retail and entertainment areas, especially experience and community-focused retail areas.

Define your budget, connect with specialized agents/lenders, and start analyzing deals.Good luck!

Focus on having a budget and having a strong financial base EXACTLY I started RE sales right at 18 when I my license saved enough in the first 14 months to buy a home to  live in.. 

Save $$$, get creative on a rehab to cut the budget, look for cheaper RE, or leverage PM.

The reason I ask is that knowing the fast movers of the area may help you choose your project.Lastly, what kind of renovation budget have you established, and is it an upfront budget, or will you be contributing to it over the time that you live in the property and renovate it? 

What's your budget?

Here's the deal:Purchase Price (PP): $95kRenovation Budget (via HML): $60kTotal All-In Cost: $155kARV (After Repair Value): Around $200kRefinance (via DSCR Loan): 7% interest, 30-year fixedRefinance Details: After the refi, I will pay back the Hard Money Loan (HML) at 11.95% with 3 points:HML: $60,000Interest/fees: $3,585Other costs: $1,800Total to pay back HML: $65,385After the refi, I will have $84,615 left in cash.Cash Flow & Expenses:Expected Rent Income: $1,700/monthProperty Management (PM): $126/monthInsurance: $100/monthTaxes: $126/monthMortgage: $1,043.75/monthTotal Expenses: $1,395.75/monthSo my monthly cash flow is about:$1,700 - $1,395.75 = $304.25/month in cash flow.Return on Investment:Cash Invested After Refi: About $18,385 (after paying off HML and closing costs).Annual Cash Flow: $304.25 * 12 = $3,651Cash-on-Cash Return (CoC): $3,651 / $18,385 = 19.8%I didn’t account for maintenance costs since it’s a full gut rehab, and everything is brand new.

@Robert OkChoosing between single-family homes (SFH) and multifamily properties depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

I like the idea of san juan, specifically miramar, santurce, or anything 1-2km from the beach with food/entertainment really. 

I’ve been listening to the BiggerPockets podcast daily on my commute and finally decided to jump into the forums to learn, connect, and start taking action.A little about me:I work as a Substation Design Engineer and currently live near the Jersey Shore.I’m focused on learning about house hacking, buy-and-hold rentals, and creative financing strategies.Right now, my biggest challenges are:Understanding the best financing options for a first-time investor.Finding a solid market near me that aligns with my budget and goals.Learning how to analyze deals with confidence.If anyone has tips, resources, or experiences they’d be willing to share, I’d love to hear them!