I’ve been attending the RI Real Estate Investors Group (RIREIG) for over 20 years and have found it very worthwhile for the information in the presentations and even more so for the networking connections and friends you make.They meet twice a month, usually on Thursdays, one is online for anyone and the other is in person for members.I hope to see you at a future meeting!

I'm not sure what part of FL you're in and what properties cost there but could you buy something locally and rent it out or do MTR or STR (to traveling nurses or corporate professionals and/or people vacationing)?

As you investigate your options in real estate, keep the following tips and ideas in mind:Determine Your Real Estate ObjectivesMake Use of Your Construction SkillsExamine Various ApproachesMaintain Your Mentorship LearningThink about short-term rentals and AirbnbCreate a Network and Look Into Local Real Estate MarketsSpread Out Your Investments Financial PlanningRemain FlexibleRemember, your hunger for learning and willingness to think outside the box are powerful assets in real estate.

NETWORK!!!

They host a series of monthly meetings with a heavy focus on education and networking.

The most important thing to do is either you or your wife need to qualify as a real estate professional (IRS definition, no realtor license required).

My idea is that this 2024, I fly to Japan, build a community of investors and leverage existing networks of contractors, real estate agents (called brokers there), and start buying, rebuilding, and renting/airbnb units as a business.

@Kevin SiI hear you - not everyone can house hack.Are you going to REIA meetings, looking at properties, building a network? 

We face a dilemma as we embark on this venture with a clear business perspective, committed to implementing best practices in property management from the start, including engaging professional property managers.

Your "opinion" doesn't help me defend MY professional appraiser opinion about the value of your property, but if you provide me data I'm not aware of, or haven't thought about, etc, maybe I can justify a different conclusion.Here's a thread where I posted a more detailed answer to what to do if comps are lacking.