many houses in the midwest, for example, are very old and need major rehabs.i personally think out of state investing is more difficult than advertised, and much more difficult in the current investing environment, with: prices high; interest rates high; tremendous demand for inventory, by both investors and retail buyers; and good PMs, contractors, etc. booked up.here's a really thoughtful thread with the experience of another CA investor and lots of different responses:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1215726-break...and here are some threads about how it can very easily go wrong:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1159104-overl...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1160450-run-i...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...finally, you also said you "don't have a lot of money to start with." 

We do a pretty decent amount of land acquisition but we target specifically retail center points in rural areas.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have the cost list for the classes but they state they are tailored to meAll together @ retail - $29,976 without Asset Protection/Entity Structuring - $17,976 Money School Essentials (Virtual 3 day plus 1 year recordings plus access to library)$1891PMC Premier - 1497/PMC Accelerator coaching -2997$5,494PMC RE Performance Bus Tour (12 week RE Coaching) - 7997/VIP Money Tank - 1297 (EACH)$10,591Asset Protection/Entity Structuring $12,000Success Team Tuition - $20,488 WITHOUT ASSET - $12,488 Money School Essentials( Live Virtual 3 day plus 1 year recordings and access to library)includedPMC Premier - 997/ PMC Accelerator coaching - 2497$3,494BUS TOUR/PMC RE 12 week on Demand - 6997Money Tank -2 TICKETS - 997 EACH$8,991API LAW (asset protection/entity/trust)$8,000-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This has all been over the phone or email. 

The contractor can put a lien on the property , he could sue you in small claims court , or in some states have you arrested for theft of services . 

Subdivisions of build to sell are favorable to local SFR landlords because more rooftops means more retail and dining, which makes a more desirable rental area. 

For example, my appliance store gives me a 10% discount, so I charge a 5% markup to my owners to make a little money and the owner still saves 5% from retail. 

@Justin Boyd just saw the location on this, I'm somewhat familiar with that market, we do quite a few retail deals in CLE and the surrounding areas, I'd be happy to give you an opinion on the site if its helpful.  

Now that doesn't mean you can't get creative on your own to avoid paying retail. 

DTI is generally only used for "Retail" or "Consumer" mortgages where you live in the property.So a conventional/DSCR "commercial" loan doesn't necessarily mean higher interest than a "consumer" mortgage if it's coming from a traditional bank/credit union? 

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