I'm wondering how anyone does it in this area, or maybe I just have not been looking for long enough.I really would like to purchase in my area as it would be my first rental property, and I am most familiar with the northern VA area If this is not to be, I also am wondering what markets nearby would be better.I’m also in Fairfax County, and you’re absolutely right: Fairfax County and much of Northern VA are tough markets for cash flow, especially starting out without a substantial down payment.

I'm not an expert on California law, but I believe you are allowed to give a 60-day notice of termination for a substantial remodel.

I was able to check an old listing and it showed it as being 2 units instead of 3 and one bedroom/bathroom less than what they are claiming.Tomorrow I plan on having my pretty wife knock on a couple doors, hopefully she can talk to someone living there so we don't get something substantially different.

Hoping that cash flow will improve substantially as this is going to be a big part of my retirement.

This is why so many companies are leaving states like California.Pro-business environment: Companies want to focus on their core business, not fight anti-business policies.Significant infrastructure: Companies favor cities with substantial airports, freeway systems connecting to other cities, and more.

We sold it at a substantial loss, but at least recouped some money.Analog:I did get a lawyer, but he finally decided it was too expensive to sue a company that does business in a different state.

Save...it takes a lot more money than most new investors believe (don't drink the Kool-aid that you can get in cheap) and residing outside the US will be seen as a substantial risk to most lenders which will limit your financing options. 

But there are other tests and if planned correctly, you don't need these two tests or even track hours the first year if your participation is substantially all hours.

California prices are really unaffordable at the same time the state has consistently had outmigration of native residents for something like a decade and even negative population growth recently whereas Texas has grown substantially. 

If they do, then you can likely find another tenant for that amount fairly easily, as I would assume the entire town's taxes are up- so if someone really wanted to be in town, that price is the new normal.If your taxes increased that substantially in a C neighborhood, your tenants would way more likely give push back for that type of increase- even though you're not being greedy, you're just imposing the same raise you were given.Often the buyer who had the "well, the numbers are better" mentality is only looking at year 1.