Hey guys, my family has done a couple rentals in the Birmingham area and want to know what are the good areas that have worked for yall! 

I'd rather purchase a vacant rental if I had my choice.

I agree with Collin.At the very least, you need 2nd home, "vacation rental" insurance.

Sometimes people list on Airbnb but I think you're getting people who are expecting a typical vacation rental.

With that being said, I also feel like I have A LOT to learn still, but eager to start the process of buying my first rental property!

My goal, over the next five years, is to utilize real estate in lieu of my current hourly consulting income, by building a portfolio of rentals.  

The market has shifted a lot in the last two years with rising interest rates, changing rental demand, and shifting economic conditions.

Working to systemize this business to run efficiently with future limited supervision to then take the cashflow/profits to continue investing in building our long term rental portfolio as well as invest in other business endeavors.

Especially on the rental side where prospective tenants may not care because they aren't living there long term.I live near a freeway where sometimes you hear it. 

Do you think a duplex is generally a better investment than a single-family home for rental purposes?