My advice: don’t overthink it—your first house hack is about learning, so pick a strong rental market, ensure solid demand, and lock in a deal that gets you close to break-even or better.

@Jadan WilliamsIf I were in your shoes, I’d start by clearly defining my investment goals and identifying target markets with strong job growth, population increases, and development potential.

So all of the gain and depreciation recapture are initially still tax deferred.However, like Joe said, the down side is later when sold  you lose the 1031 option. the client will pay tax on all gain and depreciation recaptured from before the 1031 also. 

Building a trusted team is key, so starting that process as you actively search for your market will put you in a strong position moving forward.

I get FinTech is a high-risk activity, but imagine the industry will consolidate to one or a few strong players.

I'm passionate about creating secure, long-term housing solutions that balance tenant stability with strong returns.

Nashville is a fantastic market with strong rental demand and long-term growth potential.

I am actively looking to connect with investors interested in [mention specific types of investment opportunities,  single-family homes, multi-unit properties, distressed to expand my portfolio and deliver strong returns.

Your strong foundation in the stock market and tech background positions you well for success in real estate investing.

In my view, this trend is likely to persist and could be a strong demographic tailwind for a long-term investor like yourself.Specifically, Athens, AL—a city about 30 miles west of downtown Huntsville—was the #1 fastest-growing city in the state in 2023, so there’s a lot of growth, development, and opportunity in and around Huntsville proper.If you have the time, do some driving around.