Newbie from Vancouver, WA

[Gina Fernandez-Ross]

I am currently trying to learn all I can about getting into the rental property investment business. I want to start with single family and 2-4 unit properties, and then eventually purchase larger multifamily units. My end goal is to replace my income with rental cash flow.

My sticking point so far is that I have a hard time figuring out the financing part. I am a pretty linear thinker, and like to have all my ducks in a row before a new endeavor. I feel like I should have some financing options lined up before I really find a deal to invest in, because I don't want to make an offer and have to drop out. Any suggestions would be welcome. I do have a little of my own money to invest if the right deal came around, but not a whole lot.

Also, it seems like my timing might be off, with the coronavirus thing going on. I don't want to get into a property that the tenants end up not paying their rent. How is everyone dealing with that?

The market I am in is quite inflated. Purchase prices are really high, and while rental rates are high, they don't seem high enough to justify the purchase yet. This is why I am open to out of state markets. How do you go about analyzing a distant market?

Last, I was wondering if anyone invests in Turn key properties, or is it a waste of time and money?