I’m local and happy to connect if we can help. 

Hey Stefano Vrolijk,Speak with a local mortgage broker and get pre-approved for a loan. 

A single-family home or small multi-unit property can be a great way to dip your toes in the water.Build a Team: Even if you’re planning to handle most things yourself, having a good real estate agent, property manager (if needed), and a reliable handyman can make life so much easier.Learn the Local Laws: Pensacola is pretty investor-friendly, but it’s always good to know local zoning laws and short-term rental regulations if you’re thinking about Airbnb or VRBO.Run the Numbers: Make sure you’re clear on the property’s cash flow potential.

@Nick D.We are local to the area, I'm from Springfield MA.

Would definitely check local zoning / code enforcement laws as well.  

I am going to see if I can switch to a local Wisconsin insurance that reflects our local risk level in their premiums.Many of the homes in the Pacific Palisades are 3-5 million, but when you look on Google Street View, most are very modest homes from the 1960s (there are some $20m ultra luxury mansions too), so a lot is the land value, the home replacement value on a 1600sqft may be what - 500k at the most?

If so, self-managing properties might not be the best use of your time - In any case, I'd encourage you to talk to multiple local property management companies, keep the above in mind, and understand how they approach management.In my experience, property management isn’t just about finding the right tenant or collecting rent—especially in a tenant-friendly state like Rhode Island.

And don’t sleep on local banks or credit unions—they sometimes offer flexible portfolio loans that could work for a deal like this.Since your wife qualifies as a first-time homebuyer, check out any state-specific programs or HUD options for down payment assistance.

You need a local/state specific lease.2.

I’d love to connect with local investors and agents and, further down the line, with contractors when we’re ready to take the next steps.Looking forward to connecting and learning from everyone here!