Quote from @Brendan M Hornung: I reside in Southern California and started my investment journey in March of last year by purchasing a sub-to single-family home in AL.

Just starting out.  

When regulations increase risk, cap rent increases, and make it difficult to evict non-performing tenants, it's time to consider a 1031 exchange.I was living in NYC in 2004 when I decided to start an investor services business.

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan I proposed to my husband:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

If this roof leak started suddenly during a storm and damaged the ceiling spontaneously you may not have much to go on.

@Ryan Leake i like that idea as well, we do have some priorities we are working at before we start to see what a new app might look like but we once we get to that point we'll definitely keep the community up to date on announcements.Thanks for the feedback

It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start.

Fortunately for me, I started investing a time in the market where everything went up.  

There is a ton of areas so I would start with where you are located at, within a 30 min drive

Looking for any advice for someone starting out in this realm.