New to Real Estate Investing

[Craig Brown]

Hi, 

I am new to real estate investing and I wanted to know if this would be a good time to start investing. Recently, I applied for a FHA loan and was approved 300k. I was looking at duplexes in the Sacramento/Stockton CA area that I could live in one unit/ rent out the other. Would now be a good time to buy in this market? Also, would it be better for me to save for a 20% down payment instead of going with the FHA loan.

Thanks

P.S:  I am a first time home buyer as well.