Advice for a Newbie looking for Long Distance Investment

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Hello BP friends. I would like to introduce myself, since I haven't really sat down and actually done this in the past, although I am actively reading posts on the forum. My name is Rose from southern CA--the Inland Empire. I first became interested in REI in 2007. I remember reading the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki while taking my break at work (my career then). Like many, life happens and time flew by, but during the past 10 years, I found myself revisiting the idea of REI, esp when I became unemployed in 2014. I was actively educating myself, I had even attended several seminars in different cities like Fortune Builders, etc. I came so close to signing up to their programs--and for those of you who knows, they are definitely not cheap. Looking back I'm glad I didn't spend money on those programs, because just last year when I reconnected with an old pal, she mentioned BP and recommended I listen to the podcasts. Going back to 2014 when I was unemployed and actively educating myself in REI, I actually ended up getting a full-time job at the end of that year, so with the job demand, REI was then again put on hold. 2015 was a very rough year for me. Never had I face the fear of losing my house (my very first biggest personal investment) because the job where I was employed full-time did not work out. While looking for another job, I decided to go back to college (so my focused on REI was again put aside). With God's grace, in 2016 I got hired at one of the hardest companies to get into, but as a part-time employee. I also decided to finally sell my house to get out of the financial hole I was in. Last year, in 2017, I was offered a full-time position at the company where I am still currently working for. I had also sold my (first) house in July of last year and purchased a new house (downgraded from 3000 sq ft to 1600 sq ft--but new construction home). Last year was when I also first heard of BP from an old friend, and I started listening to podcasts (tons of information!), and tried to educate myself more than before--I am more focused now that things finally started looking up for me.

From the sell of my first home, paying off all my debts, I was still able to keep $30k. With that said, my credit is now back up to almost 800, debt-free, and have $30k to use to buy an investment property. I am looking to acquire my first REI out of state. Listening to podcasts and with all my research, I am highly convinced that multi-family is the way to go. I am looking to start with duplex, triplex, or even perhaps fourplex. I would obviously need to get a loan, and figuring out the numbers I can only go up to $100k--I have just enough for a down payment with that amount. The information from podcasts and research can be very overwhelming! Just when I thought my focused would be on a multifamily, I would hear podcasts stating SFH would be a better route. I had even considered going to a turnkey company for my first investment. I considered Morris Invest, but after reading the posts about the PM they use, Oceanpointe, I reconsidered. Plus, from my understanding, MI mainly just deal with cash buyers. So one of the biggest difficulties I have now is figuring out which market to invest in. I am so afraid in messing up on my first deal, because $30k doesn't come by very often (not for me, at least--and considering the financial hole I just got out of)! I am very much aware that trials and mistakes are part of the whole process, I hear that often, but I am looking for any advice that you folks can possibly provide me as a newbie. Knowing I can only go up to $100k (financing needed), having $30k put aside for down payment, closing costs, and such, still looking at purchasing a multifamily (not a war zone).... what markets do you think I should focus on and do more research? Or perhaps what turnkey companies would you recommend?

As far as lending, I heard getting a loan is not easy. Before I look for local lenders (and property management companies, I first need to figure out what market to invest in. Just last night, I read a post stating that multifamilies in Indiana, IN is not a good way to go, better to invest in SFH if looking in Indiana. Someone did recommend KC vs IN for multifamilies. Any thoughts on that? I also came across LimaOne Capital and Bridgewell Capital for lending. Has anyone used them before? And do they cover just certain areas/states, or are they nationwide lenders? Excuse the long post, but with all the information I'm getting and not knowing what I need to know, I feel like I'm falling into analysis paralysis. So if anyone can please help out, I would highly appreciate it! Feel free to also send me a message. I am determined to acquire my first rental this year, just a newbie needing guidance/mentor. Thank you in advance. Happy investing.