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.

I have seen situations where a leak that appeared to be HVAC was a plumbing issue and vice versa.

I can only put 1 unit on the subplot but it's a whole lot easier than turning the duplex into a triplex and then rezoning. 

Lastly, if you represent yourself, be prepared to block out several days for court appearances, no matter if the tenant shows up or not. 

As a first-time investor, you might find it easier to start with properties built after 1975, as building codes improved significantly around this time, particularly regarding wiring and plumbing, which can reduce the number of surprises and costly repairs.

Whether you're a new investor or looking to scale your portfolio, qualifying for traditional loans can be a challenge—especially if your personal income doesn’t meet the strict requirements.That’s where Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans come in as a game-changing solution for real estate investors, providing an easier way to finance properties based on the property's cash flow rather than your personal income.What is a DSCR Loan in Real Estate Investing?

Unlike a lot of BP publications, it's really more of an extended pamphlet with some good pieces of information, but if it is "the book", it's only because it's the "only book".The chapters are approachable and reader-friendly, but you won't find any nuggets of golden information within the pages if you already listened to the authors' appearance on the BP podcast.

Obtaining a $200K loan to cover the tax appears to carry a similar risk of a lien, potentially jeopardizing my mortgage approval.What would you advise in this situation?

It is easier for me to manage and I know the areas better.

Do the values appear to be accurate when you've reviewed them?