picking areas and properties

[William Plymouth]

Hey everyone.  I'm a new investor in Philadelphia looking to acquire a property by the end of the year.  I've read about many of the up and coming areas in Philadelphia, but I'm not sure where to start.  It seems that many of the houses that I can afford in the up and coming areas require extensive renovations.  As a brand new investor who has never owned a property, I don't feel comfortable managing a major renovation.  Does anyone have any advice on how to find an affordable property?  Also, what areas should I be looking in?  I live in NE Philadelphia, but I feel like I'm coming up short.

[Meghan McCallum]

Find another new investor with a background in construction, like a GC. Many of them want to get into investing but all they know is how to fix them...thats where you bring the side of analysis, management, and finding the deals. You don't have to know it all, have it all, or own it all!

ANy is far more than most! Congrats on taking action to get started.