One of the concerns above is not being able to do the work yourself on a 203k.

I was thinking - as a beginner - is mentorship a good way to go about it .

I've listed the criteria from the analysis I used from Policygenious (and here's the full article:https://www.policygenius.com/homeowners-insurance/best-and-w...)Drought is the biggest concern for AZ, along with high heat.

I'd say your first move should be to house hack and get out of the apartment, this is the most beginner-friendly way to get started, and as you continue to educate yourself you'll be better equipped to find other deals as you learn.

Had a few showing the other day and I fond what I thought was a great match but I have some concerns.

You have found the right place for a plethora of information on REI.Read Beginner’s Guide to help you get started: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing Good luck on your journey!

Point number three is a real concern.

As a beginner, I recommend starting with turnkey rentals.

This is a large established corporation so I'm not concerned, and most of my application questions wouldn't make sense.

The land is often far from urban areas where housing is needed most, and environmental concerns must be balanced.