Invest in first rental or buy a primary residence first?

Invest in first rental or buy a primary residence first?

New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes

Hi BP community,

Would you advise I own a primary resident before I get into real estate investing? 

I would eventually like to get into the LTR space and build a strong real estate portfolio. My family and I are currently renting and do not own any real estate. Would you think it's best to hold off on REI while we save to buy our primary home?

I am eager to dive in REI but want to make the best choice for my family and not bite off more than I can chew at once.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan

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Rental Property Investor 路 East Wenatchee, WA 路 Member since 2014 路 10k+ posts 路 16k+ votes
3y

@Ryan Hourigan my family and I did a combination and bought a primary with a rental attached in 2007. 

Not a typical duplex, but a mother in law (MIL) suite. Technically, it's 'luxury househacking'. Could have an ADU, Casita, Carriage House, etc.

Or a regular house where you rent out the basement and it has its own entrance.   Try and combine馃憤

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  • Rental Property Investor 路 East Wenatchee, WA 路 Member since 2014 路 10k+ posts 路 16k+ votes
    3y

    @Ryan Hourigan my family and I did a combination and bought a primary with a rental attached in 2007. 

    Not a typical duplex, but a mother in law (MIL) suite. Technically, it's 'luxury househacking'. Could have an ADU, Casita, Carriage House, etc.

    Or a regular house where you rent out the basement and it has its own entrance.   Try and combine馃憤

  • Investor 路 CO 路 Member since 2016 路 757 posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y

    House hack a multi family. Duplex to fourplexes.

    Or an SFR with a DADU. That's how I got started as well.

  • Investor 路 Las Vegas, NV 路 Member since 2013 路 8k+ posts 路 10k+ votes
    3y

    Do either of you have any local friends, family or co-workers that you could tolerate living with you? Charging them 1/2 of whatever they鈥檙e paying to live solo. They save enough to buy a new car or start saving themselves. You pick up more than enough to cover some daily expenses like the utilities. 

    The added cost of buying a slightly bigger place will be almost nothing so you won鈥檛 lose any personal space. Even better if you find two. 

  • Investor 路 Costa Mesa, CA 路 Member since 2016 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y

    I don't reccomend buying a "resident." They are more trouble than they're worth........

  • Realtor 路 Charlotte, NC 路 Member since 2023 路 245 posts 路 231 votes
    3y

    I always recommend getting a primary first then turning that primary into your first rental property after your first year of owning it and living in it. Rinse and repeat!

  • Real Estate Agent 路 Columbus, OH 路 Member since 2020 路 44 posts 路 36 votes
    3y

    Hey Ryan, I think that every situation is of course going to be different and depend on a lot of things in your life. I am personally of the stance of getting into real estate when you can is the best option. You never know what life events that could pop up and make it much more difficult to buy a home. If you go by the standard that most real estate appreciate 4% yoy then I think it is always a great way to start. Also the best way to get experience in this game is to do just start it! I hope this helps!

  • New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Steve Vaughan:

    @Ryan Hourigan my family and I did a combination and bought a primary with a rental attached in 2007. 

    Not a typical duplex, but a mother in law (MIL) suite. Technically, it's 'luxury househacking'. Could have an ADU, Casita, Carriage House, etc.

    Or a regular house where you rent out the basement and it has its own entrance.   Try and combine馃憤


     Thank you, Steve - that is a great idea. I will look for this as a possibility in my house hunt.

  • New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Julien J.:

    House hack a multi family. Duplex to fourplexes.

    Or an SFR with a DADU. That's how I got started as well.


     Thank you, Julien!

  • New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Bill B.:

    Do either of you have any local friends, family or co-workers that you could tolerate living with you? Charging them 1/2 of whatever they鈥檙e paying to live solo. They save enough to buy a new car or start saving themselves. You pick up more than enough to cover some daily expenses like the utilities. 

    The added cost of buying a slightly bigger place will be almost nothing so you won鈥檛 lose any personal space. Even better if you find two. 


     Hi Bill - yes I would be open to that, I will look into this. Thanks for your insight.

  • New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Stephanie Walker:

    I always recommend getting a primary first then turning that primary into your first rental property after your first year of owning it and living in it. Rinse and repeat!


     Thanks for the advice, Stephanie!

  • New to Real Estate 路 NJ 路 Member since 2022 路 7 posts 路 5 votes
    3y
    Quote from @D鈥橝ndre Ortiz:

    Hey Ryan, I think that every situation is of course going to be different and depend on a lot of things in your life. I am personally of the stance of getting into real estate when you can is the best option. You never know what life events that could pop up and make it much more difficult to buy a home. If you go by the standard that most real estate appreciate 4% yoy then I think it is always a great way to start. Also the best way to get experience in this game is to do just start it! I hope this helps!


     Your insight was very encouraging and helpful. Thanks for your time, D'Andre.

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