New to the real estate investing world

[Gulshan D.]

I am a complete newbie to the real estate investing world and looking for advice on how to search for properties. I am meeting with an agent as well next week, but i think getting an input from other investors would be great as well. I am currently located in Southern Illinois, and I am looking to invest in either Saint Louis or Chicago suburbs. If anyone can provide me with any insight on particular area of either city where investing would be healthy, I’d appreciate it.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Gulshan D.:

Have you read "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" by David Greene? He givers a lot of practical advice about researching markets, building a team, and more.

Personally, I think the Property Manager is the piece your success hinges on. A good PM can make a mediocre investment successful; a bad PM can destroy a great investment. I've seen a lot of investors find good properties, but then they struggle to find a quality manager and the deal turns sour. A good PM can also help you evaluate deals and cross-check information you get from a REALTOR.