Focusing on initial goals

In the past few years I focused on how to get through the days and weeks between vacation plans. I had a "good, stable, relatively secure job" but was not happy with the work or day to day situation for decades. Long story short, when we were told the budget would not cover all salaries for the next year and we could take advantage of early retirement, I considered it and then chose to take advantage of it. I was not ready to retire, however.

I've been seeking a way to reinvent my life and biggerpockets.com offers me hope.

My first task is to get rid of my mortgage payment on a property I've owned for under 5 years. I hope to find a duplex in a safe area in Richmond, VA and rent half of it to pay most of the mortgage. This seems like a daunting task as there don't seem to be many of these properties available and I have to make sure that I understand how I can qualify for a mortgage for this property. Next week I will ask for an appointment to discuss this with who I think will be a good mortgage broker so that I am ready to proceed as soon as something becomes available.

Selling my "home" is going to be emotionally difficult but I know it has to be done and we will be fine.

Longer term, we hope to relocate to a warmer climate, possibly the west coast of Florida. I would like to find another multifamily property there and lease part of it long term and the other part short term and use it for working vacations when not leased in the winter months.

We are also connecting with GangplankRVA and that is very exciting. So much to learn and we have to get focused.