New to Jax – Looking to House Hack & Build Portfolio

[Aldwin Torres]

Hey everyone, I’m new here and excited to connect with like minded investors.

I’m active-duty military and recently moved to the Jacksonville, FL area. I currently have my home rented and cash flowing, and I’m renting an apartment in Jax until my lease ends this September.

I’ve been diving into BiggerPockets content and really like the idea of house hacking specifically buying a multifamily property, living in one unit, and renting out the others. I’ve been running numbers, but most properties I find here are offering around a 6% cap rate.

I’ve been told to aim for at least an 8% cap rate. Is that realistic in this market, or should I adjust my expectations? have a solid cash reserve, but my debt-to-income ratio is high, which is limiting my traditional financing options. I’m considering partnering with someone on a deal where I could bring value either through equity, effort, or capital.

Has anyone else faced a similar situation? I’d love to hear your experiences, advice, or any feedback you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance!

[Drew Sygit]

@Aldwin Torres there are very few "easy" deals out there any more.

Investors either have to accept lower returns, buy riskier properties or target properties that need renovation and/or repositioning.