Newbie Seeking RE Investment Advise

[Edith Romero]

Hello, I am planning on buying my very first home. I currently live in Los Angeles and I am looking to buy my first rental property.

I currently gross $85,000 a year but owe $56,000 on student loans. I've been aggressively paying my loans and was able to pay off $30,000 last year.

My monthly expenses are ~$2,000/month

My questions are:

(1) do I continue to aggressively pay off federal student loans, I currently stopped paying in case the new administration assists with loan forgiveness. And have been saving my money.

(2) do I save my money for a 20% down on a home probably by end of this year?

Since it's too expensive to buy in LA county I’ve been looking to buy in these areas

- San Bernandino

- Bakersfield

What would you advise? Also, seeking advice on locations where I can find more affordable properties that will cash flow.

[Gene Hacker]

Many SoCal investors have chosen Bakersfield for cashflow rentals. Prices are up but so are rents. Bakersfield is growing so and for now supply is not keeping up with demand.  Building is really ramping up so they may overdue it and overshoot on the supply side but that would be a ways out.