Options for a 1 year move

[Erik Hofer]

Hello Bigger Pockets community!

I'm new to Bigger Pockets and am excited to get started on my RE Investment journey. I will be moving to Saint Louis, MO in April-May of 2020 for one year before I will have to move again for work reasons. I would like to take advantage of the situation and not just throw money away by renting.  Are there better options outside of renting for a one year move? I'd be interested in flipping a house, but I'd be living in the house throughout that one year time period. I would also be interested in holding on to the house as a rental after the one year, but I'm hesitant to do that without knowing where I will be after that one year period.

Thanks in advance for all help/suggestions!

[Cassi Justiz]

Hi @Erik Hofer, 

Welcome to BP! It's great that you are looking for the best way to take full advantage of your situation. I have heard a lot of great things about the rental market in Missouri. 

I wouldn't buy anything with the pure intention of flipping since it will be a year long project. A lot can change in a market over a year. Ideally they will continue to go up, but you don't want to be in a position where the only good option you have is to sell at a premium.

 I would run numbers based on buy and hold rental with a property manager.  If you can find something where the numbers make sense as a rental in a desirable area, then I would consider buying. If you can't find something that makes sense that you also want to live in, then I would just find the most affordable rental that you feel comfortable in. Sometimes it does make more sense to rent especially if you don't plan to stay in the area.