Phoenix contains a rare combination of elements that have created an outstanding market for distressed property investments, including the following:Cost Savings: Distressed properties are sold below their market value and enable investors to take hold of properties at a trifle compared to traditionally listed properties.Strong Market Fundamentals: Being among the fastest-growing cities in the country, Phoenix ensures a high demand in housing and rentals, hence good potential for resale or income from rentals.Value Creation Opportunities: Most distressed properties need renovations; thus, such situations present opportunities for investors to increase equity by adding value.Population and Economic Growth: Phoenix remains among those cities in the country which are attracting more and more residents and business; therefore, this presents good, long-term appreciation possibilities of property appreciation and income creation.Challenges to ConsiderWhile the rewards can be great, distressed property investment is not without its challenges.

You don't have to fit into a traditional "avatar" box to bring valuable insight, so don't sell yourself short. :)This is especially true if you rely on furnishedfinder.com as your primary lead source (which you shouldn't, but that's another post) as when you make that connection with a prospective resident, you are selling yourself as a landlord as much as you are the property as a place to live.

I believe this is why policy-makers on both sides of the political aisle are starting to see the promise that renewables offer over traditional forms of energy, which are becoming increasingly expensive for the government to continue propping up and bailing out.  

I would consider asking a slightly higher interest rate than market, because you are offering financing for a buyer that may not qualify for a traditional loan.

If you are self employed with no full time employees then you should consider a Solo 401k for your traditional funds and no UBIT on leveraged real estate. 

For us in the seller financed note investing world, we are often looking to find value in a deal that fell outside of a traditional banker's lending box. 

If you're purchasing a single family home you can use traditional financing like you probably did on your house or you can do a commercial loan.

Multifamily real estate has traditionally been a stable asset class, and the Washington D.C. metro has traditionally been a stable market area, making the two together a good safe bet, especially for anyone with a long-term view of their investing strategy.

Inconsistent Cash FlowUnlike traditional jobs, real estate doesn’t provide steady paychecks.

If not for you and you prefer the traditional route, I would explore potential "up and coming" markets such as Acworth, Cartersville, and Douglasville, where the price-to-rent ratio is a little more favorable, and growth is apparent.