I also organize our local meetup in Dothan.

If you prefer to stay local and build equity, house hacking a duplex or triplex in Fort Lauderdale could work, especially if you can add an STR component to boost income.

If you’re comfortable with the process and local regulations, new construction might yield higher equity, but for simplicity, an existing duplex is safer.

Hey Robert, my wife and I are local and she is a real estate broker.

Also, attending local meetups and conferences can help you connect with the right people.If you need help finding the best tools or want recommendations based on your goals, DM me and I’ll point you in the right direction!

I’m getting ready to make my next move in 2025 and I’m contemplating on staying here and buying a multi family property as an investment out of state (only an hour away) which would be a lot less capital and have a lot more land lord friendly laws or buy another multifamily as a primary residence locally and hack that property I’m single and live alone.

There are people located all over who could help you locally. 

you might also have-local registration fee or business license or similar-shared utilities that the owner is responsible for

Welcome to BP~ I want to encourage you to look in your local area.  

I think their logic was that a family with 12 people (parents and 10 boy children) would have difficulty finding a suitable house with say 6 bedrooms.In addition to the Federal guideline, some local ordinances address occupants both tenants and owners.