How should I invest? (Northern California)

[Jared H.]

I'll quickly introduce my situation here. My wife & I will be able to save $5,000 a month combined starting December (living in a van soon to save & pursue real estate; sounds extreme, I know..) We are both 22yrs old. This amount of excess income will increase as we work our way up our career paths.

We currently do not live in the area, but wish to invest in the market back home in 2018. (Shasta County, CA). I have great credit (over 750), and my mom is willing to manage the properties for free (she has an AS in business administration [studied real estate, but didn't make it due to personal issues at the time]), her fiance works as a general contractor and is willing to help fix up any homes for low pay/free on weekends or small cuts if flipping. I also plan on moving back over there within the next few years; thus my reasoning to invest over there.

With an excess cash flow of $5,000/mo, free management, and low-cost labor how would you invest in my situation?

Thank you for any input you may have.