Where can I buy properties today -$100k that rent $1200+??

[Shari Posey]

I'm in So. Cal and I would like to invest near by if possible but if I must go outside my comfort zone I will. I own and self manage a few single family units here but I really want to add a few more now so they can be paid off by the time I'm ready to sit on the beach all day collecting rent checks in about 7 years.

I know prices are up in many markets and the deals are really hard to come by but where can you still make a decent return right now, today? (I would like appreciation but I won't count on it.)

I would also like to know from those of you who are investing in areas far from where you live if you are using turnkey companies to handle everything from purchase to management, or are you doing it piecemeal with Realtors and prop management companies?

For those Californians, I've looked at Riverside, Hemet, the Cochella Valley, Bakersfield but I don't see anything under $100k that rents for $1200+.