Newbie from Mobile, AL

[Jennifer Johnson]

Hey there, I'm a newbie, sort of to real estate investing. My husband and I had a few rentals many moons ago at the beginning of his military career. We also sold them many moons ago, partly because we were doing it all wrong and backwards, and went in with no strategy and partly because it became to difficult transferring and being so far from them we weren't making any money. Anyways, he has now retired and we chasing our dream we started 20+ years ago. I'm excited to start learning and strategizing the correct way and to actually be the skilled real estate investors that we know we can be.

[Melissa Justice]

@Jennifer Johnson,

Hey! That’s such an exciting place to be - returning to a dream you’ve had for decades with the wisdom of experience already under your belt. It sounds like you and your husband already have some lessons learned, which is huge.

A few thoughts to help you get started strategically:

Start with a Clear Strategy: Decide if your goal is cash flow, appreciation, or a mix. Knowing this will shape which markets, property types, and financing options make sense.

Leverage Out-of-State Markets: Since distance was a challenge before, consider Midwest or Southeast turnkey rentals. They’re easier to manage remotely, cash flow well, and let you start small while building systems for property management.

Build a Local Support Network: Even if investing out of state, having a trusted property manager, contractor, and real estate agent in the market you choose is key. It removes the headaches of being far away.

Start Small, Scale Smart: Your first few properties don’t need to be massive deals. Single-family homes or duplexes can teach you the ropes without overwhelming you, and then you can scale into multi-family once you’re comfortable.

Document Your Process: Treat this like a business from the start - track numbers, tenants, repairs, and lessons learned. It’ll make future investments smoother.

Always happy to chat more about a few turnkey markets that have worked for other investors that balance cash flow, appreciation, and ease of management.

Best of luck!