Strong property management and careful tenant placement also play a critical role in success here, so I recommend partnering with a turnkey company or an agent who specializes in these areas to make the process smoother.As for rental demand, homes that sit for extended periods are often the result of issues like pricing, condition, or tenant quality—not necessarily a reflection of the market as a whole.

definitely pretty common among Hard Money Lenders - just have to have a strong valuation team and expertise Yeah I can't remember the last time I had to get an appraisal on a hard money loan.  

With a strong desire to learn, I’m focused on acquiring the skills needed to make strategic investments and build generational wealth through real estate.I’m is eager to dive into the fundamentals of the industry, from property evaluation to cash flow management, and is excited to learn from the experienced mentors and peers.Welcome to the community!

@Edward Suess-HassmanTo make sustainable investments, set clear goals, research markets outside the Bay Area, consider creative financing, learn from others, build a strong team, and use educational resources.

It is important to look for locations with strong economic growth, rising demand for housing, employment, vacation and infrastructure developments, as well as properties that offer the potential for value appreciation or steady cash flow.

The Northshore meetups are still going strong.

However, I have no idea how to choose from the remaining cities, it seems there are a lot of potential options:- Midwest - Michigan (ie: Grand Rapids) seems to have options, also seeing Columbus Ohio and Indianapolis coming up- Reno - I've seen mentioned several times on here- Pittsburgh / Philadelphia / Twin Cities - All mentioned as lower cost to get started, and seem to be experiencing growthI'd ideally like to find a place that has strong potential for future growth, a diversified economy, and I don't mind living in (being close to nature would be a plus). 

It would have to be a really strong investment to make those numbers work well for you. 

With your background in real estate investment and home building, you’re already off to a strong start.As a real estate professional in DFW, I know how competitive our market can be.

Build a solid team and evaluate deals carefully using tools like BiggerPockets calculators to ensure strong cash flow and returns.Good luck!