@Olga Daisel I think I would focus on getting your Westlake home and using other funds to purchase rentals that make more economical sense.

"I have a very simple criteria for when an area is gentrifying as opposed to just generally improving: If it makes economic sense to buy (at market price) and tear down an existing structure in order to build and immediately sell a new building, then the area is gentrifying.

@Brittany MyrickIf I were getting started in real estate investing in New England, I’d focus on researching local market trends, especially job growth, rental demand, and the broader economic outlook.

Our economic system has inflation, which favors the banks, baked into the system.

The state's economic dynamism, natural beauty, cultural attractions, and educational institutions continue to draw people and investment.

Additionally, add in the ambiguity/risk of the due on sale clause or ramifications on the conventional loan of transferring the property from your individual name to an LLC - the economics don't make sense, and the headache isn't worth it even if it did, in my opinion!

I can also allow a tenant to grow with me - just moved a family from a two bedroom to a three bedroom apartment.Personally the only reasons I would choose to invest in multiple markets is a) because I wanted an excuse to go somewhere regularly or b) for economic/geographic diversity.I had the advantage that my home market was good.

I spent my twenties in the area and have seen the economic growth.

Affordable housing is about the housing itself and the economic environment it is created in.

Diversifying geographically can also reduce risk and increase long-term returns.For example, there are several markets across the U.S. that are ideal for new investors because they offer affordable entry points, reliable cash flow, and strong economic fundamentals.