Lots of friends (owning competing businesses) had to go through Bankruptcy recently due to the small market shift that occurred, just bought at the peak and were too hopeful in the market continuing upward.

Overall great macroeconomics great for investment - there's the booming tech scene, rapid growth in population and the job market, strong rental demand, and landlord-friendly laws.

Patience can be your best friend and if you attempt to over leverage a property it can come back to hurt you.Some will recommend buying subject 2 where you could take over an existing mortgage that could be at a substantially lower rate - but if the lender finds out and calls the loan that could also be very bad.

@Ben Trageser Stessa is an excellent platform for tracking investors' income and expenses; it is user-friendly.

The owner is a former mortgage underwriter and she is preparing documents herself and having her friend at a title company execute the sale.  

In Phoenix, I might call up a friend who invests in mixed-use properties south of Roosevelt Row, and that friend might know a local title rep who’s been working with out-of-state buyers who like to pull the trigger fast.

I remember chatting with a good friend of mine, Jared, who once picked up a quirky three-story in Somerville to rent short-term.

- California is not a landlord friendly market. 

Your Alumni friend who is already doing real estate deals - will be your best partner.

He acted like a used-care salesman - trying to be my best friend at the meeting.