Growing your network is great but I'd focus on keeping your expenses low, growing your skills and active income to give you that savings it takes to start buying

Right now, sellers are motivated, competition is low, and creative financing conversations flow easier.Use this time to:Evaluate your deals and numbers.

For a house hack, I’d focus on neighborhoods where rents are consistent and vacancy stays low. 

Love the position you’re in—low debt, steady income, clear “why.”

Neighborhoods, strategies, etc.  

Hi all — My wife Ashley and I are exploring purchasing a turnkey, already-operating short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) before year-end.Target budget: <=$300,000Preferred markets: Tyler, TX or Little Rock AreaMust-have criteria:• At least 12 months historic payout data (Airbnb/VRBO)• Furnishings included or negotiable (already in operation)• STR legal / permitted (HOA or city OK)• Good guest-review profile (4.7+), low guest-drama neighborhood (we’d stay there ourselves)• Timeline: Clean close, turnkey transition, quick start.We’re not just dreaming — we’re ready to move quickly if the right property shows up.

Starting with a single family or townhouse and living in it first is one of the best ways to get into investing with low risk.House hacking like that helps you build equity, learn property management once tenant occupied, and set yourself up for the next deal with more experience and confidence.

I'm expecting longer than 2 years to re-balance the neighborhoods inventory.

Cities that attract new businesses, have low crime rates, a metro population over 1 million (for infrastructure and skilled labor), and low operating costs are best positioned to meet this need.Where to Start Your SearchEvaluating every city in the U.S. isn't practical.

Newark has a lot of, let's say challenging neighborhoods.