Purchase price: $145,000 Cash invested: $60,000 Finding a move-in-ready home that offers modern upgrades and country charm can be challenging—but this fully renovated 4-5 bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch is the perfect solution.

Socal is tough to find investment properties that work.I have a great realtor in Sacramento that can find properties that cash flow.

Thank you in advance for your help! 

No reserves and no cash flow = capital infusion from investors and/or return property to bank.  

I have been leaning toward acquiring existing assets as new-build in my area is about as expensive as existing assets AND it takes years to spin up until cash begins to flow.   

@Dave Meyer had an interesting episode on the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast about 3 main resources when it comes to investments: cash, time, and experience. 

Thanks, it all sounds good as long as I can avoid paying hefty taxes and generate cash flow.

I think an investor can find a nice property there that will cash flow and potentially appreciate.My issue is that the OP mentions that she disqualified Baltimore because the city had a declining population but was still considering Cleveland and Toledo.From my brief research Cincinnati and Columbus both have had population increases.

Start early, raise that equity well in advance, and make sure all those forms and verifications are filled out correctly.

When you are at market value does the property cash flow well?