Is beginning a REI career in Northern VA possible??

[Gabrielle E.]

I'm working with a realtor to purchase my first owner occupied buy and hold property using an FHA loan combined with a VHDA down payment assistance grant. I plan to live with two tenant roommates starting out, then fully rent the property later. The problem is the area is so expensive! I want to purchase a property below 200k but it's seeming like that's not ideal given the state of the properties in that price range. I'm wondering if Woodbridge and Manassas are the best places to get the 1%, 2%, or 70% rule to work? I don't want to go as far back as Dumfries, VA. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.