All North DFW has the highest appreciation while South DFW will be giving you the better cash flow.If this is your first rodeo, then I would suggest to be close home if you are also planning to self-manage.Then the age of the properties and access to highways.

Some of my Scottsdale connections who specialize in land deals have been whispering about how a few smaller outfits in Casper.. from what I’ve heard, outfits tucked behind older storefronts, have been matching buyers with off-market parcels that never even hit the usual channels.If you line up your financing carefully (no legal or tax advice here, just speaking from experience), you can sometimes lock in a deal that ages nicely over tthe years.

So most investors just throw in the same expense factors no matter the age of the property.

What I would do today knowing what I know and based on my age (im 54 now).

The house's age isn't so important as the age of the systems in the house.

And what is a "mileage book" anyway in the age of navigation apps?

One of the biggest pitfalls is the age of the buildings I'm looking at. 

On top of that if you can find local investors that would give great insights.Section 8 has stringent requirements so it would be important to check off the inspection list as soon as you can.

When I was his age and even into my early 30's I had a fear of speaking to people or publicly and am comfortable doing it now, but we have felt this is a good skill to have.

The other thing to consider is the age and if you add a second floor will the entire structure need to be brought up to code for hurricane and wind.I live in a neighborhood where the homes are older (not in florida) and the foundations are hollow core CMU and adding a second floor would not be feasible due to soil bearing.