So guess which route I started with? 

Hi Daniel,At 23 with a $500K HELOC, you’re in a great spot to get started!

Anyone doing STR in Galveston? What has been your experience and do you manage with a property manager or self manage ?

I started researching and then bought in 2021-2022 then paused to stabilize and get a better lay of the land.

I’m currently looking to invest in Kansas City, starting with a few fix-and-flips and eventually getting into residential development. 

Has anyone ever started a mail drop store?

Connect with local wholesalers and investor friendly agents and provide your criteria to start receiving deal flow.

At this point I can't fathom spending close to $100k in repairs and potentially being right back where I started.

I eventually tracked down the lady who owns it, gave her a call, and we had a friendly conversation about her house and real estate deals of her past.

Buy box: Location: Approx. 30 min drive to Boston Heights, for workNeighborhoods: Decent walkability score - not far from shops/restaurants/trendy neighborhoodsIdeal tenants: Close to hospitals/universities/schools for professionals/students/familiesBudget: $175-250K - Buying w/conventional loan, 5% down/ approx 20K reno.Property type: MFH 2-4 units - preferably side-by-side, with a yard we can fence for our dogUnits: 3+/1+ - better if 1.5/2 bath per unitTimeline: Plan to live there for 2 years, but possibly only 1 year if we find another investment opportunityGoal: Focus on appreciation - would like to see cash flow in year 2-3 (the year we move out), including overhead (Vacancies, Maintenance, Utilities) and budgeting in PM if eventually we don't manage ourselvesValue add: Opportunity for some forced appreciation, but not a full reno - cosmetic upgrades and updating kitchens/baths while we live in one unit.