This means that your monthly rental revenue should ideally equal at least one percent of the whole cost of the property, which includes the purchase price as well as any necessary modifications.

Ideally, you could find something liquid (money market) or fixed for a duration until you need it (CD, etc) with a rate approximating inflation but rates (even with talk of some incremental raises coming) still won't yield much.I think you have a good point about return.

While not ideal, when weighing the additional costs and time of foreclosure, against the likelihood of recovery from the PG, we determined it was more likely we’d save expenses than we’d be able to collect on the PG.

Not to mention other pieces of legislation that make being a landlord in CA not the most ideal. 

Ideally you would find something with a base salary plus commissions.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and would ideally like to invest in IL since my family is still there and can serve as a home base for whenever I need to be in the area, but with IL property taxes being as high as they are I'm also scoping other markets in nearby states.Does anyone have any general advice for buying / investing long distance?

I am not aware of the zoning, don't have enough contacts here so I figured Its better for me to focus and start with renting ideally to get my hand on RE.Regarding my finances: Last 2 years had some small private biz (1099).

Also, because it uses only numbers, it is ideal for out of town investors who would like to know which areas have the most potential but have never been there.

Also should have some ideal about what your timeline is and what your main goal is.

Ideally you got that plus the security deposit