New to the game - Need Market help

[Adam Sharp]

Hi all!

I am new to the community and thought the BP forum would be a good place to get started.  I am looking for some advice/guidance on how to break into the multi-family segment.

I currently work in commercial real estate and am 29 years old.  I have finally saved up enough money to get started and have begun learning about this very exciting path towards financial independence.  I have ~$25k I am comfortable investing and here is my issue:

I live in San Francisco, arguably one of the hottest markets in the US, and am unable to afford anything in my market.  I have begun looking in Sacramento but since I am somewhat unfamiliar with that market, have found it difficult to accurately assess good vs bad properties.

I guess I have a couple questions...  How do I use what little I have to get into a property?  Ideally I would like to purchase in San Francisco but think I am priced out so - where do I go from here?  Is investing in markets not close to home dangerous?

I have been pre-approved for a loan, have financing ready to go, and am ready to pull the trigger but have hit a roadblock that my cash balance and geography have created.  I have discussed bringing in some partners but ideally want to purchase the first one on my own.

Thanks in advance to everyone who has any advice on how to jump over the first of what I am sure will be many hurdles.

-a