The biggest thing for you is to do you research on where you should invest and know the city/state by heart.

If you want to rent out & keep the home in your hearts of hearts & the numbers support that, go with your gut!

*Lake Anna, Reston Virginia*Originating in 1990, The Reston Town Center is a major employment and entertainment hub in the area, with companies such as Google, Leidos, Facebook, Microsoft, General Dynamics, and Fannie Mae, to name a few, more than 50 retailers, including an 11 screen LOOK Dine-In Cinema, CitySwing (Golf Simulator), a seasonal ice rink, many well-renowned restaurants and bars, and other highly attractive amenities such as a full service 243 bed hospital, a new metro, and the Dulles International Airport that is receiving $700 million renovations by 2026*Reston Town Center*Source: Rediscovering Reston-- the First Planned Community in the USSource: Washington Dulles International Airport to Expand Passenger and Cargo OperationsOne of the biggest points of discussion over the last few years has been around the office market, and how the rising office vacancies due to the shift towards a work-from-home and hybrid work schedule have pushed many companies to downsize or relocate out of previously major employment centers.

Take heart!

So I would tell you that 2-5 rentals is a piece of cake to manage - even if working full time (we kept 2 corporate jobs until we were up to 20 rental units.)The other thing I would tell you is that there are MAJOR control differences between being a limited partner in a syndication - where you are more akin to a passenger on the bus which is your investment, versus full control of everything when managing your own rentals.  

(I have not signed and returned a copy to the tenants) Within the past week or so while renovating the vacant unit, Ive noticed an unusually high amount of activity pertaining to one of the occupied units i.e. vehicles stopping at the property for short periods of time, the tenant leaving as a passenger in a vehicle, then returing on foot, different people coming and going on foot.

Also, "heart" your own listing and tell your friends and family to do it. 

I would for sure checkout the zip codes 45439 and 45409 based on my preliminary look if you want to be in the heart of the city but don't discount the suburbs especially if you are looking to invest in SFH. 

Purchase price: $290,000 Cash invested: $90,000 Sale price: $478,500 Rancher/rambler of 2,150SF at the heart of Bel Air, MD.

Purchase price: $290,000 Cash invested: $90,000 Sale price: $478,500 Rancher/rambler of 2,150SF at the heart of Bel Air.