Need Help Narrowing Down Options on investing $55k-$60k in South DFW

Dallas, Texas
Starting Out
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Need Help Narrowing Down Options on investing $55k-$60k in South DFW

Joshua Baker
Member since 2025 · 1 post · 1 vote

Hey all, thanks for taking the time to read my post. I'm looking for advice on how to launch my adventure into RE as a beginner in the south DFW area.
- Single, late 20s, living with parents, WFH, so living expenses are basically minimal as possible. 
- Making ~75k-85k/yr depending on bonuses
- Currently have $55k-$65k available to put towards RE

Current thoughts:
- Parents have done long term rentals for over a decade but haven't acquired properties for the purpose of renting and the "family business" hasn't grown. So I have handyman skills and the ability to do medium renovations. Now I want to learn how to make a business that grows so I'm looking specifically for profitable properties.
- Because I can do repairs on my own, I'm looking for things that are within my driving radius. I also read a book that talked about investing in your community and I love that idea. I could totally buy properties that are outside of DFW (like Austin or San Antonio), but I don't know those markets as well and haven't used a property manager before so that would also be new.
- I have enough to put a comfortable down payment on SFH, and maybe house hack a duplex? Or maybe barely put 20% on a duplex and call it at that? Not sure

Goals:
- I'd love to get into a position where I can work with hospitals to do travel nursing contracts or contracts with insurance companies to place distressed families into housing while their living situation is fixed/repaired.
- I'd love to invest in the DFW area because it's what I know, but I also know that while there are lots of opportunities, there is a lot of competition and may not be realistic 

Thanks for your time and thoughts
 
 

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  • Matt Miller
    Investor · Decatur, TX · Member since 2022 · 9 posts · 19 votes
    1y

    If there is an area near you with duplex or quads house hacking could be an ideal first start, as little as 3% down for your first time buyer primary residence. You could keep some capital free and upgrade units as tenants moved out or have emergency funds on hand for repairs. I'm in the DFW metroplex as well and yeah competition is a real thing there are still opportunities, just may take you a little longer to find. Do some digging and look at the areas that are expecting growth in the next 3-5 years. With the influx of out of state people migrating to DFW the areas that are slightly out of town will quickly be overpriced and getting in early puts you in good position to gain fast equity once the area begins to grow

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  • Phillip Ellis
    Property Manager · DFW · Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    1y

    Hi Joshua! Sounds like you’re in a really strong position to get started — low expenses, solid income, cash reserves, and even the skills to handle repairs. That combo gives you a big edge starting out.

    Since you want to stay local, I’d say SFHs or a small duplex in South DFW could be a great first move. House hacking can be a smart way to lower living costs and ease into landlording. Travel nurse and insurance placement rentals are also growing niches in DFW, so you’re already thinking in the right direction.

    Curious — are you leaning more toward starting with a house hack to learn the ropes, or jumping straight into something you’d keep purely as a rental?

    0Reply
  • Justin BrickmanBusiness Member
    Realtor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2021 · 502 posts · 274 votes
    1y

    San Antonio/Austin area have some great oppurtunities in the multifamily space if you're not able to make numbers work in DFW. Feel free to shoot me a message and would be happy to connect with you and help you out. 

    [email protected]210-827-6020
    Justin Brickman Realty4.9137 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Richard Helppie-SchmiederPro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · DFW · Member since 2020 · 374 posts · 208 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Baker:

    Hey all, thanks for taking the time to read my post. I'm looking for advice on how to launch my adventure into RE as a beginner in the south DFW area.
    - Single, late 20s, living with parents, WFH, so living expenses are basically minimal as possible. 
    - Making ~75k-85k/yr depending on bonuses
    - Currently have $55k-$65k available to put towards RE

    Current thoughts:
    - Parents have done long term rentals for over a decade but haven't acquired properties for the purpose of renting and the "family business" hasn't grown. So I have handyman skills and the ability to do medium renovations. Now I want to learn how to make a business that grows so I'm looking specifically for profitable properties.
    - Because I can do repairs on my own, I'm looking for things that are within my driving radius. I also read a book that talked about investing in your community and I love that idea. I could totally buy properties that are outside of DFW (like Austin or San Antonio), but I don't know those markets as well and haven't used a property manager before so that would also be new.
    - I have enough to put a comfortable down payment on SFH, and maybe house hack a duplex? Or maybe barely put 20% on a duplex and call it at that? Not sure

    Goals:
    - I'd love to get into a position where I can work with hospitals to do travel nursing contracts or contracts with insurance companies to place distressed families into housing while their living situation is fixed/repaired.
    - I'd love to invest in the DFW area because it's what I know, but I also know that while there are lots of opportunities, there is a lot of competition and may not be realistic 

    Thanks for your time and thoughts
     
     


     Hey Josh, I am from DFW too. Host a meetup to help people getting started amongst other things. Lets connect on a phone call!

    0Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 968 votes
    1y

    @Joshua Baker

    Hey Joshua, sounds like you’ve got a great foundation with your handyman skills and understanding of long-term rentals from your family. With your budget, a duplex for house hacking could be a smart first step—it lets you learn the ropes, get hands-on experience, and minimize risk.

    If you’re looking for growth beyond that, start mapping neighborhoods with steady demand and potential cash flow, then think about scaling gradually. Partnering with a reliable property manager can really help if you want to expand beyond what you can manage yourself.

    The combination of doing repairs yourself and targeting markets you know gives you an edge—lean into that. What’s your timeline for your first purchase?

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    0Reply
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