In my experience, the biggest returns are in areas that are considered to be on the “path to progress.” 2) Know Your PropertyBaltimore is notorious for having properties in complete disrepair.

You have to be careful when under construction because contractors are notorious for running behind schedule.It's clear the demand is high.

Credible and other loan comparison sites are notoriously erroneous when it comes to accurately forecasting rates and closing costs, as each lending institution has different fees AND a huge component on your closing costs is your home insurance. 

They are areas poised to grow EXCEPT both are notoriously tough with rent control.

Mortgage fraud is a federal crime that is handled by the FBI with fines and penalties up to $1,000,000 and 30 years in federal prison.

Why pay $3.5Kmo for an "open 1 bedroom" 400SF prison cell in San Francisco, when you can pay $3K to rent a decked out, 3x2, 1,500 SF unit near Lake Tahoe?

It's mortgage fraud and it's really tough to manage a two property portfolio from prison.

A lot of what the seller and his "contractor brother" did was what was later described as "prison work." 

The last thing you want while hunting for financial freedom is to become incarcerated in a financial prison.

I know Houston's notorious for being lax with it's zoning (a very good thing in my book, but I feel a bit lost pouring over the county and city code books trying to figure out what restrictions we need to take into consideration.