Would you buy your first rental property all cash or use leverage if you have 600k

[Kalei White]

If you had 600k to start in rental property investing, what kind of home would you go for? I will have that much available to me in one year. 

To give some more info, I live in San Diego where you can find a 1,000-square-foot home in a safe, decent neighborhood (although inland and less upscale) in this range. I am just starting to analyze some listings in the county, but I am also open to looking outside southern California.

My goal is to build my real estate portfolio in ten years to the point where I can live off of it. I know that's ambitious, but I think it's do-able, right?

[Greg Scott]

With $600K, retiring in 10 years is more than doable.  I did it starting with less.  However, if you are focused on buying properties in SoCal, I'd be skeptical.

I'm location agnostic.  Buying around the country has been very profitable for me.  Look for areas you can invest with population and job growth that are also landlord friendly, tax friendly, and have positive cashflow. Yes, they still exist!