About a month and a half ago I was talking to one of my old buddies from the Marines and he was telling me about his new life as a Real Estate Investor doing primarily single family flips.  

Here are some details:- 5 units-130k- Fully occupied currently generating $2,945 in rents with some value adds and room to increase in the future- Cash flow should be between $1,100 - $1,400THE COMMERCIAL LOAN LOOKS LIKE THIS:- 20% down- 4.75% interest rate- 5 year fixed with 20 year amortization - Mortgage including taxes and insurance $1,286.73 (taxes $4,976 annual and insurance at $200 to be conservative.I didn't get a quote yet)I am as nervous right now as I was when I got picked up to head off to Marine Corps boot camp.

And then on the other extreme you've got San Francisco, where sure it will appreciate a bunch, but you're cashflow negative in the interim (though we do 100% see people buying in SF or Marin, etc, purely speculating on appreciation... these are higher net worth individuals who don't need the cashflow and can float the $2k/mo in the red). 

Am a merchant marine, when am home from sea i like to focus on RE in my home time.

So a little more info is needed to be accurate.I'll give you a hint for the lower end: call 1-800-Marines & be missing a leg when my alma matter is done with you.

i'm in the Oceanside, CA area and motivated to buy my second home next year. looking for multi-family duplex-fourplex to house hack then go from there. looking out of state for a good market to BRRRR. i'm 16 years active duty with Marine Corps, my gf is about to be a licensed agent, and I've been absorbing all info like a sponge. been listening to BP for about 6 months and currently reading the millionaire real estate investor by gary keller. i'm expecting rich dad poor dad for my bday in a couple weeks :) oh and I've got a 3 year old son and looking to start a family with my gf one day. i'm pretty laid back, from Maryland but love the west coast. surf and camp in off time. loving life. hoping to network and learn everything I can!

@James Marin I would start by asking yourself how much you can get approved for, how much you're willing to pay per month for housing, and where you are willing to live.

Hello BP,I'm Cordell, born and raised in Milwaukee just moved back a few years ago after serving 5 years in the Marines and doing some welding work out of state.

Hello,My name is Richard, I am 22 years old and an active duty Marine.

@James Marin- @Russ B. nailed it.