For someone new to real estate investing that wants to do long term rentals, do you recommend starting off in an area close to them/an area they're familiar with or someplace that will give them the best return even if it's out of state. 2.

Best advice: don't get emotional about a deal.Found first deal on MLS, but have found stuff on FB, Nextdoor app, and even yard signs! 

Hi @Katie Lyon,Properties are typically still selling in Cape Coral right now to active buyers, even with elevated inventory.

My focus leans more toward equity appreciation than cash flow, and as a rookie investor, I’m aiming to put aside about $25-30k for investments each year.In the meantime, I’m looking to connect with like-minded folks here for mentorship, partnerships, apprenticeships, and even collaborations.Would love to hear your thoughts, advice, or anything you think might help as I continue piecing everything together!

It will be even harder as a young person with no life experience, and particularly no experience buying real estate. 

Price to rent ratios have skyrocketed everywhere and it's pretty unlikely rent will ever get to a point where it evens back out because at those levels it's just as cheap/cheaper to buy (not to mention most renters can't afford anything like that). 

If things to sideways, the money raiser usually has no leverage or even any authority to fix the problem.

Even better?

I made a great connection with that property owner and proved the concept since he was unfamiliar and hadn't even heard of rental arbitrage.

They even sent someone from the city to the house to tell us to stop operating it as a STR.