Looking for strategic help with principal or investment

[Kevin Luebe]

My girlfriend and I want to purchase real estate again (after divorces, etc) as a merged family and dont know where to start. Should we start with purchasing a principal home for ourselves or look at pursuing investment opportunities first. We currently both don't own property however she is a realtor and can provide us with some opportunities in CA. Our long term strategy is to not live in CA. We are looking across the country for investment properties and there are a lot but just dont know what to do. Would someone chime in on what a good strategy would be?