Our Journey to Buying Our First Investment Property in Our 30s

When Raj and I met, we were both in our 30s — independent, established in our own ways, and at a point in life where we knew what we wanted. We weren’t interested in spending years “figuring things out.” We were ready for the next step — to build a life together.

He was from Canada, and I was in Chicago. After a few honest conversations (the kind where you don’t just talk about favorite movies, but about values, goals, and non-negotiables), we realized how aligned we were — especially around our outlook on life and finances.

So when we decided to get married, we made a plan. Raj would move down to Chicago, where the market was stronger for both our careers, and we’d start building our foundation — literally.

💍 The Practical Start: Wedding Meets Real Estate

When wedding planning began, we both agreed: we wanted a beautiful celebration, but not at the expense of our future.

We looked at our savings, did the math, and decided to split our funds — part for the wedding, and a good portion for a down payment on our first home. We knew this home wouldn’t be our “forever home,” but we did know one thing for sure: we wanted to hold onto it long-term and rent it out later as our first investment property.

We set a five-year plan. The goal? Live there, build equity, save, and eventually move into our next property while keeping this one as a rental.

🏡 Finding the Right First Home

We started house-hunting with both practicality and future potential in mind. Because Raj just moved from Canada and didn't have a job yet, proximity to public transportation and highways was a must.

We landed on a new construction townhome in Rolling Meadows, Illinois — a great neighborhood just minutes from Arlington Heights and Schaumburg. It wasn’t one of the pricier “name” towns like Elmhurst or Lake Forest, but it had all the essentials: safety, access, and value growth potential.

Since it was a new build, I was adamant about choosing an end unit — something that offered more natural sunlight and privacy (and fewer shared walls). At the time, end unit was a preference of mine, but it's also a great in value as an investment property.

🧱 Timing Was Everything

Looking back, a lot of what worked out for us came down to timing and luck. We bought near the end of the builder’s construction phase, when only a few units were left. The developer was motivated to close out and move on to their next project, so we had strong negotiating power — especially since it was November, when most buyers were pausing for the holidays.

It wasn’t a “steal,” but it was the next best thing: good value, smart timing, and low competition. (And remember, this was pre-COVID, when the market dynamics were very different.)

💸 Making It Happen

This wasn’t actually my first property (that’s a story for another day), so I didn’t qualify for any first time buyer incentives. Raj had just moved to the U.S. and was in the middle of applying for his green card, which meant I was the only income on the loan.

At the time, I had just transitioned from teaching into an entry-level corporate role — so it wasn’t like I had a massive salary. But what helped us was simple discipline: we both lived with our parents before getting married, which allowed us to save aggressively.

That savings became our lifeline. We were able to put 20% down, which helped us avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) and kept our monthly payments manageable.

Between wedding costs, moving expenses, and closing on a home, our savings were basically wiped out, it taught us a powerful lesson in living within our means and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term comfort.

✨ Design Dreams vs. Smart Decisions

I’ll be honest: the HGTV-fanatic in me wanted to transform the space into a magazine-ready home. But since it was a brand-new build, we decided to keep upgrades minimal — swapping out a few light fixtures and upgrading the kitchen faucet, but otherwise keeping things simple.

That choice paid off later, because when it came time to rent it out, we had kept our costs low and our equity high.

💬 What We’d Do Differently

Honestly? Not much — our timing and choices worked in our favor. But if we could go back, here’s what we’d do with a bit more strategy and foresight:

1. Start building credit early — at least 6+ months before you’re ready to buy.
   Good credit doesn’t just help you qualify; it gives you leverage. A few extra points can make a surprising difference in interest rates and loan options.

2. Get pre-approved before house hunting.
   It sounds simple, but being pre-approved made us realize how important it is to understand your true budget and what lenders actually see when they look at your finances.

3. Prioritize savings beyond the down payment.
   We were so focused on hitting that 20% down goal that we didn’t realize how quickly costs pile up afterward — furniture, moving, small fixes. Having a little extra cushion would’ve helped us breathe easier those first few months.

4. Focus on what truly matters, not what looks perfect.
   As first-time buyers, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of the “dream home.” But your first property doesn’t have to check every box — it just has to move you forward. Focus on good bones, location, and long-term potential rather than trendy finishes or picture-perfect spaces.

5. Keep a home maintenance fund separate from savings.
   Even with new construction, small costs pop up — filters, blinds, appliances. Having a separate “house buffer” fund helps with unexpected financial stress.

🌱 Final Thoughts

That first property was more than just a home — it was the foundation of what eventually became RISS.

It taught us that every decision, from where you buy to how you budget, shapes your future wealth.
Today, that same property is rented out to an amazing family — and it’s still one of the best financial and emotional decisions we’ve ever made.

If you’re looking for your first home — whether or not you plan to turn it into an investment — here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Location matters. Be near public transportation, grocery stores, parks, and good schools.

• Ask about incentives. Look into first-time buyer programs, tax credits, or grants.

• Define your goal. If it’s not your forever home, focus less on perfection and more on potential.

• Stay patient. The right home isn’t just the one that looks good — it’s the one that fits your long-term vision.

Because the truth is, every property you buy teaches you something — and those lessons compound into experience, confidence, and freedom.