I have about $30K set aside for my first REI.

I'm really struggling with where to get started. I like the cash flow potential of investing in the southeast, but the appreciation potential in San Diego makes my home market super appealing.

I have some ways to leverage a deal at home given a $200K equity position in our current home, but with a wife and two young kids, house hacking would be tough.

I was considering to keep our place now, rent it out and potentially buy another future investment with an FHA 3.5% down.

I've spent a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts and attending meetups. I also have a wife who is in general extremely skeptical about anything REI-related, but at the same time, she understands its power as an investment vehicle.

I just don’t want to make the wrong move initially. I’d call it analysis paralysis for sure.

My why? Building a better future for my family (kids’ college, no more future debt), getting into a better home with some more space and having passive income subsidize our lifestyle (which is not lavish by any stretch).

I am grateful for friends and family who have helped guide me to this point!1

> appreciation potential

How do you mean? Short term, adding value (i.e. flip) or long term appreciation? If so, betting on long term appreciation without cash flow is speculation. Would your current home cash flow with a tenant in it? If so, go for it.

@Michael Jones

I would not buy San Diego right now.

Let’s talk