What would you do to start?

[Jenelle H.]

Hello all. I am a newbie wanting to start REI . I have been studying to get my RE license (exam is in Oct) because I was told that it was great way to learn about real estate, investing and to get access to the MLS. I live in an expensive area in California, work full-time as an Accountant in the Food and Beverage industry and am a single mom. I just started reading the forums today and have been listening the podcasts for a week. I am very grateful, it is really great stuff. So informative and inspiring. I am so excited!

So I'm ready to take the plunge but with all the information I've received, I'm not sure where to begin. I know that I want to start with 1 SFR, and hold/rent it out, but it will definitely be in another state, due to the high prices here in California. So here is my info and if you were me, where and how would you begin:

• Can offer up to $50K for down payment, including rehab/improvement costs.
• Credit score 733
• No debt currently
• No flipping/rehab experience

Obviously, I'd like a great cash flow and appreciation but I don't know how to begin to find that.  I am open to other states(I think I have to be) and as I stated, I will be getting my RE license soon and will only do that on weekends, if some broker allows me to, so I hope that helps some.  What would you do if you were me?