Of course, responsible landlords budget for regular maintenance and repairs.

San Jose and the Southern Bay Area were appealing but may be outside our current budget.

Know your budget.

If you do not have someone you can call to perform the work at that estimated cost, it will be a struggle to meet your budget. 

My wife used it to write an add for one of my Tesla's I am selling ( new truck is here ) and it writes a decent add I have to say. 

Let's say $100/hour fully loaded, plus a truck, overhead and then add another 20% profit on the total (material and labor), because that's the whole point of running a business.

Thank you @Michael Smythe Detroit, MI is my last option but within my radar due to my low budget.

The low entry costs allow investors to maximize their budget, while the expanding job market boosts demand for housing, creating opportunities for quick sales or rentals.

Remember, you can put as little as 5% down on a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex with a conventional loan.If I were you, I'd speak with a lender about your financial situation to understand what your budget actually is, then look for an inexpensive duplex.

With over 20 years in the game here and having helped tons of out-of-state investors find the perfect mix of vacation home and rental property, I can tell you it’s totally doable with your budget.