All Forum Posts by: Taz Zettergren

Steve Helton is great we have also used Gary Comer at Superior Home Inspections

Yes, Southaven is a great market for long-term buy-and-hold rentals. It offers the benefits of being close to Memphis while having lower crime rates, better schools, and a more suburban feel. The rental demand remains strong, and investors typically see stable appreciation and occupancy rates. Are you looking at any specific properties or just exploring the area?

just messaged you. interested

@Ravi Pamarthi

You're in a great position to build long-term wealth, and I'd suggest focusing on single-family homes in suburban areas around the median home price. This is where demand is strongest, making it easier to find tenants and, if needed, sell without much hassle. Single-family homes tend to perform more consistently over time compared to multifamily or townhomes, without the added complexity of shared walls or HOA fees.

For out-of-state investing, look toward the middle/southern part of the country where home prices are more reasonable, property taxes are manageable, and landlord laws are favorable. These factors help ensure long-term stability and reduce unnecessary headaches. 

To get started, you’ll typically need 25-30% down, plus closing costs and reserves. With the average price of a solid rental home around $210,000, expect to have around 70k available. Some investors start with just one home to learn the process, while others aim to acquire multiple properties to scale up faster.

The most important piece is having the right team in place. A provider that handles everything—acquisition, renovation, leasing, and management—will make it feel like you’re investing right next door, even if you're miles away. Finding a team that truly prioritizes long-term value and tenant care is what separates a smooth investment from a stressful one.

Are you leaning toward a hands-on or hands-off approach? That can help narrow down the best strategy for you.

@Marty Shawn

You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this, and you’re asking all the right questions! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but a few things to consider:

House hacking can be a great strategy if it makes financial sense and aligns with your lifestyle. If your housing costs would double or triple compared to renting, it might not be the best move right now—especially with limited cash flow potential in Boise. But if you’re set on staying local, it’s worth keeping an eye out for the right deal rather than rushing into something.

Out-of-state investing is one of the best ways to find strong cash-flowing properties while keeping things passive. The key is working with the right company—one that owns the entire process, from acquisition and renovation to long-term management. When everything is handled under one roof, it eliminates a lot of the common headaches of remote investing and allows you to truly be hands-off while still building wealth. The markets you’re considering have strong fundamentals, and many investors successfully scale this way without having to be actively involved.

If managing a property doesn’t fit your schedule right now, keeping your capital liquid for the right opportunity isn’t a bad idea. You could also explore more passive routes.

At the end of the day, the best move is the one that fits your goals, financial situation, and risk tolerance. No need to force a deal just to get in the game—this market requires patience. What’s your top priority? Appreciation, cash flow, or just getting your first property under your belt?

Would love to hear what direction you’re leaning!

@Victoria C. I'd be happy to help, I actually have one coming available that matches the criteria. sending you a dm

@Anthony Michael Hamza

Really appreciate the detailed response! It sounds like you've got a solid foundation and a smart game plan, especially with the house hacking strategy. Using the VA loan to acquire a multifamily is a fantastic move, it allows you to build equity while keeping your housing costs low. The biggest challenge, as you mentioned, is finding a property in South Florida that fits both your living standards and investment criteria. The high demand and pricing make it tough, but if you're patient and find the right deal, it could be a great way to get your foot in the door with multifamily.

That said, I’d also encourage you to keep an open mind about out of state investing down the road. I totally get why you want to stay in South Florida right now, it’s where your network and resources are, and there’s a lot of value in that. But as you scale, diversifying into different markets could give you more flexibility and higher returns, especially in areas where the numbers work better for cash flow. A lot of investors start in their backyard and eventually expand once they hit barriers like affordability and competition.

You mentioned that Florida’s housing supply is increasing and that we could see some price corrections. That’s definitely something to monitor. If a great opportunity comes up that fits your goals, waiting for a potential drop could mean missing out altogether.

Your plan is already well thought out, and it’s just about putting the right pieces in place. If you ever decide to explore other markets or want a second set of eyes on a deal, I’d be happy to help! Looking forward to hearing how things progress for you.

Best of luck! 

@Anthony Michael Hamza

Congrats on making the transition from homeowner to investor! It sounds like you've built a strong foundation with your first rental—locking in a 2.25% interest rate and pulling in $4,500 in rent is a great position to be in. Plus, investing in hurricane-proofing and key upgrades should help long-term durability and reduce major CapEx surprises down the road.

Since you're aiming for a BRRRR-style approach moving forward, are you looking to find value-add multifamily deals in Maryland, or are you considering other markets? Given the rate environment and pricing in many metro areas, a lot of investors are shifting their strategy slightly to make numbers work—curious to hear your approach!

Looking forward to following your journey!

@Shaylynn O'Leary 

You’ve got a great strategy, and reinvesting your flip proceeds into a more affordable market makes a lot of sense. Based on your goals, I’d recommend looking into Memphis, Little Rock, and Oklahoma, as well as Houston, DFW, and San Antonio.

Memphis, Little Rock, and Oklahoma offer affordable entry points, strong rental demand, and slow, steady appreciation. The lower cost of entry allows for self-sustaining rentals while providing long-term stability. These markets don’t experience extreme price swings, making them ideal for a buy-and-hold strategy with reliable cash flow and minimal volatility.

On the other hand, Houston, DFW, and San Antonio are experiencing rapid growth due to continued job and population migration. With major companies expanding in Texas, demand for housing remains high, driving faster appreciation. While property taxes are higher, the long-term upside is strong for investors looking to build equity while maintaining a solid rental base.

If your focus is slow and steady wealth-building, Memphis, Little Rock, and Oklahoma provide great value and predictability. If you’re looking for a higher-growth market with strong long-term appreciation potential, Texas might be the better fit. Have you considered any of these markets yet?

@Christina Henderson welcome to the forums! You're one step ahead of most of those starting off, and that's by identifying what you're wanting to start with. A duplex is a great way to start because that renter will help with your monthly out of pocket costs and it's a convenient way to get into real estate investing. I did something similar but with a single family home. It is a frightening experience but if you have the right team in place you'll be confident in the property you chose to close with and it will go smoothly. A great agent will help walk you through the process from start to finish and the home inspector is there to protect you in regards to the condition of the home. There are thousands of people on here who will give their opinions about different parts of the process, don't be afraid to ask for help! Best of luck through the process, let us know how it goes