I have recieved an offer for 700k for my property (which is about market value) for my property.

The education and health services sector alone added 23,800 jobs in the past year, reflecting a significant expansion in these industries, particularly in healthcare and social assistance​.Proximity to Major Employment Centers: Greater Heights offers convenient access to key employment hubs such as downtown Houston and the Galleria area, which are major attractors for residents due to the short commute and abundant job opportunities​.Education: Nearby institutions like University of Houston and Rice University contribute to the area's appeal.Infrastructure Projects: Ongoing developments like the East Blocks Redevelopment and BioHub II at Generation Park enhance local amenities and attractiveness.Investment InsightsGreater Heights Rental Market Trends:Single-Family House Rentals:Median Rent: $1,350 for 1 bedroom, $2,695 for 2 bedrooms, $3,250 for 3 bedrooms, and $6,100 for 4+ bedrooms​​.Stability in rent prices with modest YoY increases: 2 bedroom rents increased by $195, and 3 bedroom rents by $250​​.Median Sold Price YoY ComparisonApartment Rentals:1 bedroom apartments saw a YoY increase of $305, 2 bedroom apartments by $667, indicating strong demand for these unit types​​.Available Rentals:High availability of both house and apartment rentals, indicating a robust market that can support new rental investments​​.Sales Market Trends:Median Sale Prices:Significant appreciation in home values, particularly in 1-bedroom homes, which saw a 190.7% increase from $215K to $625K​​.Other bedroom counts also showed positive appreciation, e.g., 2 bedrooms (5.3%), 3 bedrooms (6.5%), 4 bedrooms (17.4%)​​.Market Activity:Increased number of homes for sale and sold, suggesting a dynamic and active real estate market.

The market is showing SOME promising deal but I would appreciate a mentor or friend who wouldn’t mind teaching me how to spot a deal in the numbers.

It's ideal for the current/recent market conditions where everyone is projecting rate reductions in the near term.Your current rate is so high that you are already arguably in a worthwhile position to refi but you may have to wait on that for the first 6 months or 1 year of your loan.

Also have a realtor buddy that is willing to give me leads when any off market properties pop up. 

I think this is a marketing post, lol.

At this point in our market it seems like to me the better option would be using the HELOC for the entire purchase just because the interest on two different loans would eat up any possible cash flow.

My target markets are NY and CT, but I’m definitely open to expanding my horizons.Since most friends and family members are hesitant about real estate investing, I'm on the lookout for a mentor who can guide me through this journey and potentially partner with me along the way.If you have any advice or know someone who might be willing to help me get started, please let me know!

And so, knowing that RE investing is my ticket to financial freedom as well as how important a location/market is for investing, how much do you believe I value the RE market while looking for my first job?

Here’s why you should consider investing in this growing market:Affordable LandFlorence offers affordable land compared to larger markets, allowing investors to secure property at lower prices with strong potential for appreciation as the area develops.High Demand for New HomesThe city’s growing population is driving demand for new construction.