Whether you're a local or considering investing from out of state, I believe Albuquerque has some unique opportunities, but as always, there are factors to consider.1.

Even if you're in a local 50+ league and want to be competitive, a coach is probably over-kill.

Avoid PMI and then go to a local credit union and get a heloc after closing to gift the money back.Have this as a tool in your tool belt but pursue use of the 3.5% FHA, knowing that you will be at a competitive disadvantage if you are competing with non FHA buyers, then you can call in the favor from your gift person.Just know that if someone gifts you down payment money, your bank will require them to sign a letter stating that it is in fact a gift that doesn’t need to be paid back.

Are you looking for more SFR in the same price range in your local market?

If you’re thinking of branching out, cities like Austin or San Antonio are worth considering, but staying local has its perks too.

We found that two key factors significantly helped us succeed with our short-term rental (STR): using NightlyPricer instead of AirDNA and opting for Safely Insurance.NightlyPricer: Rather than relying on AirDNA, we chose Nightly Pricer, which provides more dynamic, real-time adjustments based on demand, local events, and market trends.

(One virtual and one local).   

I adjust pricing based on demand, like raising rates during peak season or local events, and lowering them in slower months to stay competitive.

Any local bank that does this kind of financing should be able to approve you as long as you have a good enough credit score and never declared BK.

Consider your investment strategy—house hacking, turnkey rentals, or real estate syndications—and start networking through local meetups or BiggerPockets forums.