.- Problem-Solving Skills- Proactive Maintenance- Financial ManagementWhat other qualities do you think are essential for a property manager?

As a private lender myself, this is something we routinely fund in my markets because of this lower asset levels.

These places are not in great areas, and the buildings are probably very old with a ton of deferred maintenance.

For your first one, I think the condo route is solid because it (should) be minimal maintenance and lower price points which make the ROI actually work with a long-term tenant.

I found all sorts of things to reference for an eviction including excessive damage to the property, signs of an animal, lack of yard maintenance, oil spill on driveway, smoke detectors removed, the unit smelled of smoke, appliances that came with the unit moved off site ect... 

Build in a cushion for maintenance, vacancy, and future capex expenses.

Here's some guidance on buying your first investment property in Southern California or Columbus, Ohio:Down payment:For investment properties, lenders typically require 15-30% down payment on your first investment15% down is possible with excellent credit (700+ score)20-25% down is more common, especially for multi-unit propertiesSection 8 considerations:Pros:Guaranteed portion of rent from governmentPotential for longer-term tenantsMay be easier to fill vacancies in some areasCons:More paperwork and inspections requiredRent amounts set by local housing authorityPotential property damage concernsOther tips:Research local markets carefully - price trends, rental rates, etc.Factor in all costs - taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacanciesConsider starting with a single-family home or small multi-unitBuild a team - real estate agent, property manager, contractorsHave cash reserves beyond just the down paymentUnderstand landlord-tenant laws in your chosen locationI'd recommend talking to local real estate agents in both areas to get more specific market insights.

Other costs like closing costs, insurance, property taxes, and maintenance/repairs should also be considered.Good luck!

If you need a lil help/advice on some go to's for repairs maintenance etc. feel free to reach out to me.

The primary reason a lot of people move on to bigger deals (80 units plus), is that it's possible to own larger properties in markets that make economic sense but may be far from where you live. 80 Units seems to be the target so you can hire your own full-time property manager and maintenance person, versus relying on local property managers to manage smaller multi-family properties on your behalf.