Brand New To Investing & Need Advice

[Stephanie Hardy]

Hi!

I'm a 21 y/o student going to UC Davis, CA. Would it be okay to make a 30% down payment on a property that is worth roughly $400,000? I am wondering whether it would be safer to hire a property manager as opposed to dealing with tenants directly?

Should I hire individual gardeners to maintain the landscaping or does the property manager handle that? How often should the property have an inspection while tenants are residing there?

Seasoned experts, what is the best approach to maintaining/owning a rental property? I feel like my theoretical knowledge won't equate to practical and ideal management of it, so any help would be appreciated.

Thank you so much.