Most of my properties are in San Diego and I have always been a buy and hold investor.  

I live in San Diego but grew up in Illinois.

@Paul Bryzek There's a triplex here in San Diego that has good returns but FHA won't lend due to its condition.

I'm  perpetually on vacation.. flying to San Antonio today, just got back from Golden CO last week.

These are 2 areas with excellent growth, commutable to san diego (25 min)  excellent schools, etc. 

Besides the price to rent ratios the laws are typically tenants friendly in CA which makes it even more difficult...I've been investing in TX for many years and I think it is still very good market to invest (Dallas, San Antonio).If you want to learn more about out of state investing feel free to check out this meet up group -meetup.com/Los-Gatos-Real-Estate-Networking-Meetup/

My husband and I own a vacant lot near the riverwalk in a highly desirable (A) neighborhood in San Antonio.  

I would very much like your help on an opportunity I have been offered: an investor I know is currently building 2 townhomes on one lot in San Fransisco.

I have a property in San Antonio, TX currently undergoing renovations to make it safe in preparation for a tenant.

I've been a renter in three very different parts of the country (San Diego County, Miami, New Orleans) and, if a potential LL had told me I needed to pay a commission to their agent to rent the place, I would have looked at them like they had 3 heads and quickly moved on.I have heard of this kind of thing in places like NYC.