Doom and gloom sell, but take it with a grain of salt. 

I have strong family ties in the Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls areas and interested in those markets as well. 

If you are closer to the ocean, the salt in the air will cause damage to plants that prefer to be inland.

You have to take their word with a grain of salt.

BP has an amazing amount of good information, but some things need to be taken with a grain of salt.  

The investor I'm referring to was actually VP of the SLREIA (Salt Lake REIA) and resigned recently.

That would put you investing in places like Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Houston, Phoenix, Salt Lake City maybe Austin and Raleigh just to name a few.They are all some of the fastest growing cities and have the strongest job growth (yes, even Phoenix which has the fastest growing financial job growth in the country over the last few years).You should be able to achieve both of your goals - cash flow  and ability to resale easily with some appreciation - in any city if you stick to the top-end properties, put 20% down and make sure you achieve a minimum of 1%+ rent ratio.Still, I think you need to talk to other investors who are thinking like you are.  

I say to take it with a grain of salt and only listen to a lawyer, who have experience in the Dodd-Frank law that can give straight answers.Joe Gore

Learn to judge your own situation and deals, then add some advice and a dash of salt!

Hi-I'm a newbie too, so take this with a grain of salt.