Don't buy in the hood.

I haven't thought as far ahead as looking at potential areas to buy property.

It by no means is an exhaustive search but I also haven’t seen any co-op communities selling for 50% of comparable condos.I also know lenders that have originated loans for the co-ops in Laguna Hills and I was also reading how Fannie Mae buys mortgages issues to co-ops so it sounds like there’s a market for both qualified and non-qualified loans.

You’re just trying to make a few bucks to buy your own toys without committing to being a full-time shopkeeper.But here’s the thing: Wholesaling without a license is like running around the playground trying to sell toys out of your backpack.

The 5-10 it gets heavier and a lot busier, and 10-15-20 it really is untenable to self-manage especially if this is not you main business like a person buying their own rentals and building it like a small business. 

This vary heavily town to town. 20% down is great if buying strictly as investment but if you have a way of owner occupying I would explore that route and apply the 20% down to increasing value of property and instead using low money down loan. 

My ultimate goal would be to buy fixer-uppers to turn into long-term rentals.

I am buying a flip house from a wholesaler.

The first is that there's no consensus between tax professionals, and the second is that you will not like my personal interpretation.My interpretation is:Until the property is "placed in service" - everything goes into basis.Illustration.You buy a property July 1st.You finish rehab November 1st and put the property on the market.Your tenant moves in January 15th.The property was placed in service November 1st, and it does not matter that the tenant did not move in until the next year.Everything paid between July 1st and November 1st, including interest and utilities, goes into basis.

While I am normally in the do-not-sell camp, in this case it might just sell and buy at the new location.