So I'm a fan of buying in the path of progress from here since it's starting to expand outwards into cheaper neighborhoods.

It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start.

Hey all,My name is Tony, I'm 35, just started actively pursuing financial independence and have been really hammering away at learning everything I can.

Hopefully rents start going up 2nd Qtr and into 2026 and 2027.What price range do you want to be in? 

From there you can start to identify what you are looking for.Where do you land on the follow spectrums:Cash flow and AppreciationLong term or Short term needs (waiting for growth vs get out of my W2 now)Long term rentals, Mid term rentals, Short term rentalsBuying close to home or coast to coastSelf manage or hire a PMIf you can narrow in on those, you essentially have your buy box. 

I don't know a single person who regrets starting out with a quad and house hacking.

Seconding what @Max Wilhite said, Multi-Family is a great way to get started.

Probably starting out small Jaycee - SF or maybe some smaller duplex type properties.

Purchase price: $417,500 Cash invested: $37,575 We weren't super happy with anything we were seeing on the market, so my husband and I had just started writing letters and looking off-market... until we saw this property.It'd been sitting on the market for months, originally listed around $550,000.

And start the two year clock ticking again.