If there’s nothing in the HOA about outside smoking then her telling the HOA is the same as her telling her friends.

Curious if you're considering house hacking with other people (family or friends) or if you're thinking about going it solo?

To begin investing in real estate, learn first, set financial goals, analyze finances, study markets, make friends in the field, get a loan, start with small properties, check all details, plan how to manage them, and choose renters carefully.

I have a real estate agent/friend who is guiding me through the process.

Agents, even buyer's agents, are not your friend.

Quote from @Kristin Vegas: hi biggerpocket family. my name is cris and looking to buy a rental property in youngstown ohio for cashflow, i live in california and thinking in buy a property in youngstown ohio. anybody here investing there for cashflow if so, which area of youngstown is good and where to avoid. any friendly investor agentHi Kristin!

Hi friends,I have a vacant, well-maintained carpeted property that I am marketing.Since 70% of tenants are pet owners, I feel that I am missing out on a large market.However, I also don't want the hassle to completely replace my carpet after a tenant with pets moves out.

@Gabriel A Camachoshort answer - no, you don't need to start with a mentor, and you probably shouldn't.some things you can do: go to meetups and join Facebook groups and start making friends and building a network. 

And any family and friends may have friends that have money.

Additionally, and I believe this is part of our mistake, is that this PM is owned by the family of a friend of mine (at the time I though it was a great idea, since I know them and trust them).