We have done a ton of research about phoenix and it seems like a good area as the unemployment rate is low and population is increasing.

One thing to consider is that in terms of wealth building and Kiyosaki's Cashflow Quadrant, owing a rental and doing work yourself is putting you in the self-employed quadrant, not Business Owner or Investor.I think there are a lot of factors stacked against California for long term rentals, and I think you know it too! 

My plan is to maintain the status quo and benefit from annual rent increases and equity gain as the tenants' rent covers the mortgage.

My plan is to maintain the status quo and benefit from annual rent increases and equity gain as the tenants' rent covers the mortgage.

.🔹 Airbnb is Facing Increasing Restrictions:New York City has implemented strict rules requiring hosts to register and be physically present, effectively banning many short-term rentals.Dallas and Atlanta have passed zoning laws banning short-term rentals in residential areas.California cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are ramping up enforcement with hefty fines for non-compliant listings.🔹 Co-Living is Gaining Legal Ground:Colorado eliminated all restrictions on the number of unrelated adults living together statewide as of July 1, 2024, marking a major victory for co-living advocates.This week, Jacksonville Municipal Court ruled in favor of PadSplit, voiding citations for “illegal boarding houses” on constitutional and fair housing grounds.Cities like all over like Washington D.C. are considering zoning reforms to allow more co-living developments as an answer to the housing crisis.As Airbnb restrictions tighten, co-living is emerging as a scalable and legally sound alternative that balances affordability, tenant stability, and community needs.

By doing this, not only are you increasing the value hopefully building you some equity (giving you some boost in your net worth) but also increase rental potential too. 

However, investing locally has become increasingly unfeasible and unrealistic due to the high costs.

The median home value in Phoenix as of April 2023 was $368,657, which is a 23.5% increase from the previous year. 

I recommend you do this annually to adjust for utility increases and other variables.

I currently have around 20k cash for a down payment and that is steadily increasing so I want to pull the trigger soon.I'm interested in Fort Wayne for a few reasons:- I have some family in the area (they won't be involved, but have some general knowledge of the area)- Decent schools- Low crime- Airport- Low pricesAny advice or connections are welcome as I am completely new to this.