Investing in Orange County, CA

[Pramod Yash]

Newbie here.. thought I'd post this as a separate thread.

1. What are your thoughts on the current environment in OC? Prices seem too high just as an observer and having lived in OC for many years. Do you think this is the right time for a newbie to get started or should I wait?

2. If you are in OC, where (city/area) are you looking for deals? 

3. If you were in my shoes, how would you use this time to prepare for the first deal. I have read all the BP books I bought on amazon already and generally am aware of the investing process. But looking for insights on geography specific preparedness.

[Karen Margrave]

@Pramod Yash  Orange County is a beautiful area, and great one to invest in. The good things about it are there is a broad based economy, everything available that anyone could ever want (jobs, schools, healthcare, entertainment, recreation, and best of all many of the communities are the safest in the nation, and perfect year round weater!) What more could you ask for? Well... lower prices. However; because of all of those things I listed, along with the lack of available land on which to build, housing prices in man of the areas hold strong, especially the closer to the coast you are. 

The question is, how much do you have to invest, and what are your goals? If it's cash flow, it's probably not going to happen, unless you get a good buy on a vacation rental property. If it's long term appreciation, the closer to the coast you are the better the odds. 

If I could afford a lot down there, or find a good buy for a fix/flip, I'd jump on it. Love that market!