The fact that you have already owned and sold a rental property gives you a great experience to start from.In terms of the best place to invest - that is whatever place meets your criteria, goals and investing style.Personally flips have not been working as well for me lately, but when we get the right BRRRR deal those are still working well.

Helping others navigate this unique and impactful business model has been a rewarding part of my journey.Now, I’m looking to scale by incorporating the BRRRR strategy—acquiring undervalued properties, rehabbing them to meet care home standards, and refinancing to reinvest.

I'm a part of local real estate investors meeting and I have some good realtor contacts.

You might find it useful to attend a meetup or two just to learn how other folks got their start into the industry :) I host a small/intimate meetup once a month in LIC, check it out here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1214850-meet...

Focus on identifying promising neighborhoods in the north or east bay by leveraging your husband’s contractor network, local real estate agents, and online deal-finding platforms.

Hey @Nicholas Hausmann - I can't provide much feedback on Springfield Illinois it self since I am up in Chicago, but it seems like from what everyone is saying it's a solid cash flow market.In general, it sounds like you have a solid plan...I recommend making some trips there to meet some of the local investors.  

Would love to connect with investor friendly real estate agents, other wholesalers, and cash buyers.Looking forward to meeting all of you!

Unlike banks, which offer limited loan options, brokers have access to a wide network of lenders, including niche and non-traditional financing sources.Here’s what they do:Assess your financial situation to determine your borrowing power.Compare multiple loan products to find the most favorable terms.Negotiate rates and terms with lenders on your behalf.Guide you through the application process, ensuring you meet all requirements.Example: Suppose you have a lower credit score or unconventional income sources.

I don’t mind paying those fees if I can build a solid, long lasting business quickly.I know I can piece together all these things by attending my local REI meetings and making connections there.

However, you could look into a “construction exchange” where the funds are used to improve a new property acquired through the exchange, but it must meet specific IRS rules within the time frame.