Personally, I would take the cash and buy an investment property and ensure I also had enough cash to cover all expenses for six months.

I'm focused on small to mid-sized multifamily properties in south central and eastern NC, and I’d love to connect with others that are actively investing and operating in these areas.

The market's steady growth ensures that homebuyers and rental property investors can capitalize on the area's potential.Key Economic Indicators:Average Wage in 2024: $59,586Five-Year Compound Wage Growth: 3.73%Total Employment in 2024: 748,600Five-Year Compound Employment Growth: 3.14%Unemployment Rate in 2024: 3.8%GDP Per Capita (2022): $70,178Affordability Indicators:Median Home Price in 2024: $447,526Five-Year Compound Price Growth: 9.35%Median Rent in 2024: $1,797Five-Year Compound Rent Growth: 5.91%Rent-Price Ratio: 0.4%With steady wage and employment growth and an unemployment rate below the national average, the Raleigh-Durham area is a prime market for real estate investment.

You'll likely find many in this community willing to share their knowledge, especially with a mutual benefit like that.Start by reaching out to local real estate investment groups or networking events in DFW, as well as connecting with folks here on BiggerPockets who have experience in your target market.

So here is my scenario, please speak to if you have any experience in this and if it  could work.I recently negotiated an option on a multifamily for about 50% of its current value.

Investing is so neighborhood specific that a general mentor would only provide basic information that is free on any podcast or social media. 

Some of the main reasons I started this journey is so I can eventually take my family on trips to experience different cultures, help less fortunate people, and build generational wealth. 

There are other tools on the market that will provide you better data and more options.   

Always pay down your high interest debt first.It only makes sense to invest cash when it can provide a greater return on your money than your debt can.Hope this helps

So, now I’m looking for advice on where a new investor should begin in this community—whether it’s podcasts, books, or even specific forums within BiggerPockets.I am really eager to learn, grow, make and learn from my mistakes, take calculated risks and in short dive into this whole heartedly.