It is vital you learn the specifics of the jurisdiction that you choose to invest.

It builds in the skill set of living on less than you make that is vital if you want to grow a good portfolio.  

And it's vital that we do so if we can ever come together as a country.

Full disclosure, I believe in the long term vitality of the Asheville market for the next 30 years.

Many of these things required for success are things that I was not taught growing up, even when I talk to my dad about things like waking up at 4am to work, or going to the gym everyday, or meditating, he acknowledges that even he could never do that, but knows that many successful people do that and that it's vital.

Some things I found that were vital.

I am by no means an expert and certainly take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think its vitally important to have a clean financial house before you start looking at others.You have debt, you might have IRS issues, and your credit score is in the garbage bin.

The ability to successfully analyze these situations is vital to success.  

What you intend to do with the property is vital.

If you are investing outside of your market, it is vital that you are working with trustworthy experts in their field whose interests are aligned with yours.