Trying to get my First Multi Family in Southern California

[Karim Karawia]

My names Karim and I've been trying to get my first multi-family apartment for close to a year now in the Los Angeles County area.  Been analyzing deal after deal and still cant find any that would even come close to cashflow.  Is it just Southern California that is really is a hard market to find any cash-flowing properties without low ball offers?  Really considering the idea of trying other markets but would've enjoyed investing in my backyard.  Any help or advice would be greatly appreciative.  

[Jim Genis]

@Karim Karawia, welcome to the forums. As @Blake Brose said, KC is a much better market. 

I started my RE investing career in San Diego. Tried to do flips but was unsuccessful, and shifted instead out of state with buy-and-holds. Owned a couple of cash flowing properties in Huntsville, AL and now I live and invest exclusively in Kansas City. It has all the markings of a great cash flow market: stable employment, population growth, broad employer base, and nice rent multiples. And Google Fiber has definitely helped grow the startup community!

That said, if you're counting on appreciation, it's not a rocket market like SoCal (both ups and downs). KC is pretty steady eddy, much less volatile and resulting growth rates that mirror inflation over the long haul.

Be sure you have good boots on the ground here in KC.

Best of luck in your investing career!