Thank you Eric.In addition to the rental properties, my wife and I have a paid off house, paid off car, and about $1.4m in retirement accounts, brokerages, and savings.We live in a HCOL area and our expenses are $9.5k per month even though we live pretty modestly.I set out initially to have real estate pay for at least some of my expenses in order to give me more freedom and financial security.Is your wife quitting too? 

I stuck to it and it has treated me well over the years.I did not start investing ( other than buying a home to live in) till many years later..

You are young and presumably single, so living in a master suite while renting out some other rooms is easy.

David,Yes, investing out of state can be a wise choice especially if you live in a State like CA, NY, NJ, CT where home prices are over priced and taxes are brutally high.

While we currently live in Stephens City, VA, we’re open to investing in other states where the numbers make sense.Real Estate Goals & StrategyInvestment Focus: Buy-and-hold rentals, short-term rentals, and potential multifamily propertiesMarkets of Interest: Open to investing outside of Virginia in cash-flowing, landlord-friendly marketsCurrent Stage: Learning, networking, and preparing for our first investment propertyLong-Term Vision: Build a diversified rental portfolio that provides financial freedom and generational wealthWhy I’m HereNetworking: Connecting with experienced investors, agents, lenders, and property managersLearning: Gaining insights from those who’ve built successful portfoliosCollaborating: Open to partnerships, joint ventures, and creative financing strategiesWith my sales background, I understand the importance of negotiation, deal-making, and relationship-building—all of which I plan to leverage in real estate.

@Tim BergstromI live in Louisville.

In my city, vacancy rates are hovering below 2%, rents are climbing, and every year thousands more people show up needing a place to live.

Account Closed that's not the case as long as you live in it as your primary residence for 12 months.

I live in Utah, where the real estate market has exploded to say the least through COVID, so investing in my backyard isn't something I'm interested in right now.I'm looking for a market with houses available to be renovated under $50k!

•If you qualify, you could use FHA’s 3.5% down payment to acquire a duplex or co-living property, live in one unit, and rent out the rest.