Buy Now vs. Wait and the Best First Rental for Beginners

BiggerPockets Blog
Published: September 17, 2025
Getting Started

Summary

This BiggerPockets article discusses the financial considerations for new real estate investors, specifically house hackers. It emphasizes the importance of analyzing cash flow and goals when deciding whether to buy a property now, even with added expenses like PMI, or waiting to save more. The article also recommends cosmetic rehabs over significant rehabs for first-time investors to mitigate risk.

Key Insights

  • For new investors, cosmetic rehabs are recommended over significant rehabs due to the lower risk and easier management.
  • Buying a property now can lead to appreciation and beat the competition, while waiting may lead to a larger down payment and better cashflow.

Action Items

  • Research the market and compare buying single-family homes versus multi-family units to find the best deals.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: medium
  • Analyze your potential cashflow, savings, and long-term goals (1, 3, and 5-year plans) to determine if buying now (with potential added costs like PMI) or waiting is the better strategy for your situation.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

Common Mistakes

  • Don't get trapped on the costs of a deal like PMI; focus on the overall financial benefits.

Related Videos

More from Getting Started

Greece Climbs Europe’s Short-Term Rental Rankings - GreekReporter.com

This article from GreekReporter.com reports that Greece is climbing the European short-term rental rankings. While specific details on the rise are not provided in this short article, this suggests a growing opportunity for hosts. It implies increased demand in the Greek market, which presents a dynamic opportunity for STR investors.

2 days agoGreece75
News article thumbnail
Ennismore CEO Plans More India Hotels After Mumbai Debut

Ennismore plans to expand its hotel presence in India, with its first hotel under the Morgans Originals brand, Roswyn, already soft-opened in Mumbai. Following the Mumbai debut, the company plans to open a Hoxton hotel in Bengaluru and is actively exploring further expansion opportunities, recognizing the market's readiness for a luxury lifestyle product.

2 days agoIndia65
Growth of short-term rental market slowing down - eKathimerini.com

The short-term rental market's growth is slowing, according to eKathimerini.com. This shift may affect occupancy rates and revenue for hosts. Understanding market trends is crucial for adapting pricing and marketing strategies, ensuring continued profitability.

2 days ago75

Curated by Learn STR by GoStudioM