Be careful on how you implement these, CA in general is a very renter protective state, I find that books on RE are often inaccurate in CA, flipping and rental books if I may say. 70% rule, 2% rule, it doesn't really apply, I would assume raising rent will drive tenants aways, 3% or $500/mo is only $15/year increase, but when you apply to LA where rents are $2000 for a 3/2, it will carry a hefty $60/year increase, at rnd of year 5, that's $300 more.

Though the house I'm set to close on isn't a duplex I've been kind of kicking myself in the rear for not buying one, or even a starter home for that matter.

Not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination, but a pain in the rear for sure.

I want a SOLID lease agreement that will cover my rear end if anything were to happen.I am house hacking this property so I'm not sure if that will change the agreement?

The street is still a hell hole even if it's at the rear gate to Ft Mac.  

The man holes, are they near the front, or rear?

You hit the nail on the head with "it takes all sorts" as I myself have come across the same youngsters who have it all figured out but haven't even left the comforts of their mommy & daddy.

Tampa area, Orlando, Miami etc. thanks guysso sounds like some of the better cities to invest in RE are Dallas, Austin, Houston, Vegas, AZ etc...is it because those cities dropped the most after 2008?

This rehab will be done using mid-level finishes with a couple extra bucks spent on the kitchen, front door, and rear deck/garden with the expectation that those features will attract a buyer quickly.6.

Quick question, what else beside investing in RE are you guys and gals doing for extra income?