Trying to learn more about real estate investing

[Linda Luna]

Hi, my name is Linda, I am currently a CNC machinist working as a contractor in New Hampshire. My home residence is in Troutman, NC, so I am really interested in starting my real estate investing in the Charlotte area. While working as a contractor in my current field I travel to different states and work for companies when they need extra help, this has peaked my interest in short term rentals because that is mostly what I use while out state. I want to start with short term rentals/air bnbs and move into long term rentals and some flips. I'm happy to join this group, I look forward to meeting people and all the information and learning I can receive.

[Melissa Justice]

@Linda Luna,

Welcome, Linda! It sounds like you’ve got a great mix of curiosity and motivation - perfect for starting in real estate. I would highly recommend starting with turnkey long-term rentals which can be a smoother entry point than STRs for a few reasons:

Immediate cash flow: Many turnkey properties come pre-leased, so you start earning income right away without the wait or marketing effort.

Lower hands-on management: LTRs are easier to manage remotely than STRs, which require constant turnover, cleaning, and guest coordination. You are essentially in the hospitality business..

Financing & risk: Lenders are usually more comfortable with LTRs, and the income tends to be more stable, which helps build equity and credit for future investments.

Foundation for growth: Once you have experience with LTRs, building a team, managing tenants, and understanding local markets, it’s much easier to branch into STRs or flips if you want to diversify.

There are plenty of turnkey LTR options in surrounding markets in the Southeast where cash flow can be stronger and the learning curve gentler. Starting here can help you grow confidence and experience before taking on the more time-intensive STR market.

Excited for your journey - happy to connect if you want to talk about what's worked for other investors. Best of luck!