First congratulations on making this investment endeavor. Since you are studying real estate business, researching your local cities is another tool to add to your belt for investment properties.
I personally would look at areas you know in both cities, and see if there are any city plannings or updates going that could potentially benefit in the long term.
A good amount is one that you are comfortable with putting down on a property, and more you are skin in the game you have better it looks when you approach investors, or banks. Try to look over a few properties and run your numbers using different scenarios such as hard money lenders, or doing it by yourself.
On deciding which home to purchase to start off, this is where your strategy will come into play. Many people say multi family is the way to go. I have met quite a few investors that swear by single family, and fixer uppers.
You have options which is the great part. See what it is available in your target cities and just build.
Keep up the research and the hustle my friend.
Best of Luck to you!
