Rentals have remained pretty hot outside of common slower times around holidays.

If we let the hotel corporations do all the talking while we remain in the shadows, it does nothing to help the STR world! 

The homebuyers program I went through wouldn’t allow me to just pay off the remaining lien they said I needed to refinance or sell the home.

Estimated cost for remaining changes (all new electric, drywall, tile, fixtures, cabinets, roof, doors, windows, heat pump, some siding, and fencing.

The inventory is still very tight, and expected to remain that way. 

However, despite this progress, the property remains cash-flow negative.

Hello @Matt PowersThere are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent with promising passive cash flow.It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you.

What I'm thinking is that you may be able to pay the remaining $44k HELOC balance based on your cashflow.

My immediate goal is to acquire our first property and spend the next two years mastering the basics of real estate investment. ( Refining the Go and No property search criteria/ Learning the value of taxes and avoiding them as much as possible/ 1031 exchanges) Depending on my wife’s career orders, we may remain in Baltimore for 1-2 years, but I’m also exploring opportunities in West Texas, Sierra Vista, AZ, and Houston, TX.

If you make it to the top in real estate as a broker/agent you are really doing something special.It is true that about 80% leave the business the first 2 years and the remaining 20% by year 5 about 80% of those are now gone.