Even while you build up your savings, learning about lower-cost, cash-flow markets can help you move faster once you’re ready.

Hi Chris,Based on your experience, fix-and-flip is a great strategy especially to build up some cash.

It is a way to build up equity and hopefully make a bit of cash as well.A MTR or STR is more scary I think for most.

If it needs some love and you can paint and landscape while you live there and build up some equity, even better. 

In any case you're going to want to build up a list of service providers like plumbers, electricians, general carpentry etc..

It happens on here every day, which is why there is so much ink spilled about midwest markets.

Build up cash.  

Build up some equity and cash flow on residential properties and scale that- anyone can do that with limited resources.

AI is everywhere now and people are starting to tune it outemails feel fake, texts feel spammy, and cold calls get ignoredbut a handwritten letter STILL stands outwhen a homeowner opens the mail and sees real ink and real words, it feels differentit is personal, someone took the time to reach outthat little bit of effort can be the reason they call you instead of tossing it awayhandwritten letters show care in a way no computer can copyif you want to reach homeowners who are ready to sell, pick up a pensometimes the old ways work better than the new onesjust make sure the list is very targetedevery letter counts, every letter mattersit doesn't have to be the only marketing avenue you have,but if you're going to do it, do it right

You should be able to get the HELOC on the place and pay of the cards.Now, it kinda sounds like to me you want to build up a business line of credit outside of your personal credit.