All Forum Posts by: Andrew Cruickshank

Thank you all for the replies and advice! I really appreciate it. I definitely will look for a duplex. I think you are all right, that seems to be the best option. Although they are hard to come by in my price range. I will try to find one or find a way to make it work. Thank you all again!

Hello everyone, I am looking to purchase my first deal in real estate! My question is what do you think is the better option for my situation. I am in the United States Navy and going on a year long deployment in the winter of 2022.

My wife and I currently live in the DC area. Due to the high cost of living and with no family around she will be moving back to new Jersey, where we are both from. Unfortunately new Jersey isn't super affordable either but this way she will have family nearby. She is not able to live with our family members long term and we will need to find her a place to stay. The two options we are looking at are buying a house in New Jersey for her and a roommate to stay. After a year when I get back we will move else where and continue to use the property to rent out full time. The other option would to be buy a house in a more affordable and area out of state in a more popular real estate market. We have looked at doing STR rentals as well. This option would mean she would have to find an apartment or house to rent out, with a roommate.

Also for the property in NJ I would be able to use my VA as it would be my primary residence.

Please let me know your thoughts on if we should buy the property in NJ to house hack and then rent full time or look for a property out of state for either LTR or STR. I hope I explained that well, any questions please ask.

@Greg Moran

Just started looking around Shenandoah for a possible STR, as I'm in the DC area and love going up out there for hiking. So close to the DMV, Shenandoah definitely seems to be a great spot for a STR. Would love to know if anyone as had any success there and what they have learned!

@Stetson Miller

Hi Stetson, I have been thinking of buying a STR property near this area of Florida as well and would love to know some more specifics of which is the best area of Cape Coral and types of houses/condos vacationer's are mostly looking for. Thank you for your time!