We want to purchase a property to begin building our rental portfolio but are unsure of the best approach.We live in Sonoma County, California, and I work in Healdsburg.

I have a client that lives in Hawaii but owns a property in DC area.

I'd highly recommend house hacking in your local market since you're in one of the highest cost of living areas in the US, especially if you're renting currently and planning on staying in the area for 5-10 years.It sounds sexy to go out and invest out of state for your first property.

I live here and househack as well - can provide a first hand perspective.

Foreign citizen currently living in Miami.Any recommendations in general?

Use tools like the VA loan for house hacking and your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover living costs while building equity.

Hey Phil,I live here in Memphis and can say from experience that Tennessee makes it easy to setup an Llc. 

Or paying off my debt, while I provide them with a nice house to live in instead of an apartment. 

I currently live in WA state and invest out of state for buy and holds.

You will be living in someone else's house.