New member interested in flipping - San Francisco, CA

[Noopur Bak]

Hi, I am Noopur. Super excited to have discovered Biggerpockets! I am a product manager in San Francisco. 5 years ago a friend helped me buy two investment properties ( which are currently rented) near Austin, TX. I was super naive then and didnt quite do my math or any real due diligence. Luckily, the math was alright and the properties are cash-flow positive. Fast forward to 2017 and I am seriously considering a more comprehensive real estate portfolio specifically around house flipping. I have been doing a lot of reading so far - books, forums, blogs and I have a LOT of questions :) Hoping this awesome community can help me kick start my efforts. Not sure what I can give back at this time being so new but am looking to give back as I build my knowledge.

My primary short term goal is to generate additional cash flow to pay down my primary residence. 

What I would love help with:

• I have been scouring the biggerpockets website and forums but would greatly appreciate any other recommendations - books, blogs etc
• Any local real estate investing clubs that the members here find very useful
• Any pointers on how I can better understand REOs
• Recommendations for real estate attorneys
• Any other tips for a newbie?

I am in the process of flushing out my goals and strategies. One of my big open questions right now is what market to pick. I am just getting started on my research but I suspect the Bay Area market may not be conducive to flipping right now.  My second option is of course, Austin, TX but given I would like to get into flipping and not just buy and hold I am not sure picking a remote market would make sense. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!!

Noopur