Going prices for trendy areas in Salt Lake seem almost out-of-control.

The big thing you will have to decide is whether you want to buy in an A class neighborhood, or if you want to buy in a B or C class neighborhood where you get more cash flow but its not as trendy. 

I have some savings and the rest I was going to do a 203k loan if I needed to...once finished the property will bring in 5k a month I'm in a trendy neighborhood....Now my problem comes in here..

Consider these facts/characteristics:Bostonian, $9K in student loans, no rent expenses currently (living at home), not a really a spender (1 pair of sneakers and 2 jeans for contrast), living off of $200 every paycheck and fully employed with a salary.My goal is to have 80% of my portfolio filled with rental properties while leaving the other 20% for capital projects.

I wonder if this trend is strong and holds for years to come.

When I get a bit deeper into my investing career I will be diving into the niche of buying destroyed "zombie houses" (term courtesy of BP Podcast 201) and completely renovating them into beautiful, modern, and trendy homes available for homebuyers to purchase. 

When to invest in REI isn't based on what the overall trend is in prices. 

Investment real estate is definitely trendy right now, but its not a get rich quick scheme...more like get richER slowly.

Additionally all the sellers are saying the area is a trendy hangout area with bars, restaurants, and major employers nearby, etc..

That is dangerous as we are many years into a upward economic trend. I