I'm 23 and want to buy first investment property during COVID

[Alexis Fox]

I have been reading books/taking online courses in real estate investment and have saved up quite a bit of cash. I want to invest in my first investment property when prices are hopefully lowered due to COVID. I currently live in Baltimore, but am interested in building a portfolio in an out of state market. I have been researching markets such as Nashville and Miami, but would love some recommendations of other cities to look into! Specifically, markets that make for good rentals in landlord friendly states. Also, any recommended learning materials would be great as well. Thank you and be well!

[George W.]

Honestly you're best bet would probably be to house hack a place close to where you are most familiar with. The idea of investing out of state from afar can be very alluring. When I started investing too I thought that it would be so much better to invest hours away from where I live for some reason. Yeah its crazy when you see half way across the country you can buy a board-up house for so much less but how do you manage something like that on your first property from halfway across the country with zero experience? 

Looking back I'm so glad ive bought in the town/area where I grew up in. I'm sure if I spent money out of state on my first deal I would've lost it.