Everybody wants a home run on year 1 of their first deal which is why many never get started. 

From there it is really just a matter of determining comps, cost to rehab a property, and your timeline.I have helped several investors flip their first home in Austin and learn how to do it effectively.

Focus on analyzing properties and starting small, like house hacking or buying a single-family home to rent out rooms, while ensuring cash flow and maintaining an emergency fund.

There are always ways to increase the value of most homes, but that is also a crap shoot.

This could easily cost you $10’s of thousands if you plan to stay in the home 5+ years when you return. 

Home sales hit their lowest level in almost 30 years, so it's not unusual to see a property sitting on the market for many months.

In Capistrano Beach, at 27111 Paseo Pinzon, Dana Point, CA we built a 3440 sq. ft. home, 2 stories, with rooftop ocean view decks.

Also, what if I can't find people to live in the home?  

I'm a home inspector looking to break into REI.

They also have a home vacancy tax in a lot of areas which applies to short term rentals.