Location, location, location should be your biggest consideration and I'd strongly recommend staying within an hour of where you live.

I agree that the biggest factor is the market cycle.

The biggest problem is that the woman can not afford to live there.

@Bruce LynnThey could but in reality it’s not the actual federal govt employees that are the biggest factor it’s all the lobbyists and government contractors that flock the area.Every large company has a contingent of people here to grease the pockets of all the politicians

I see a lot of people say they want to go local, and while I understand the sentiment, one of the biggest myths I see perpetuated in lending, or insurance, or appraisers, etc. is that local is better. 

I simply just don't trust the news these days and have to look at my own markets and stats.I think the part everyone is conscious of is we saw a post-covid peak that in theory will not return, and we made a gradual return to 2019 levels.What I do think is true, per AirDNA, is that ocean and mountain markets saw the biggest increase, and now the biggest fall.... and now what's happening is many people, particularly older families who tried Airbnb for the first time, are realizing they never want to stay in a hotel again. 

My biggest problem seems to be the learning curve to get any of them set up the way I want them. 

What is your biggest advice for young people getting started in real estate investing?

The builder warranty should cover you but make sure you read ALL the docs thoroughly; this is the biggest advantage of buying a new build, so use it A LOT.

I think it is a good point and one of my biggest worries, if not THE biggest worry is finding the right tenant.