My wife from Gillette saw your icon photo from across the room and said...

Covid had hit, his wife had lost her job.

The question is, my wife and I are both able to take the FEIE if we are both working. 

Covid had just hit, and his wife had lost her job.

My wife and I own four properties in that area and the rental market has been very strong.

Now is the time as my wife and I have further discussed short term rentals and such recently.

If you ever plan on doing this later in your days, you could always do a management company and just expand on that, but I can tell you from my own perspective  that LLC – S and being W2 employee under that may limit some of your lending aspects, but it protects you around the world anywhere you go further if it comes to it, you can bankrupt your company, sell the assets and open another company the same way and you’re still protected through and through. as my wife is a high earner, it really protects her from civil suits and other things like that or anybody that ever comes to maliciously take what is yours.

A young couple or family can still buy a house for $250k.Another top of mind examples is my wife's hometown of Bowling Green, KY - hour north of Nashville, growing, and still affordable.Or do what a buddy of mine just did - paid up for a 3 unit in a premier neighborhood in Boston.

Quote from @Devin James: @Jay Hinrichs Developments are definitely BIG money makers, but thats also reflected with the risk associated.That's why these projects take so much time and capital, but if you make the right judgements for project selection, and do all your due diligence, it'll turn out well. my 90 home project in Oregon  started it as dirt before covid .. got 1st phase built then covid hit.. had to fight through lumber sky rocketing and other material shortages and the of course interest rate spikes.. but the project ( and I give credit to my Wife and my GC's attention to detail) has sold Very well for record prices and profits .. its de risked now 22 lots left 13 are presold with big non refundable deposits and only 9 lots left that have no debt..

My wife (26) and I (27) are wrapping up renovations on our first investment with plans to sell come spring or refinance to hold it as a rental.