take the plunge and buy by the lake.. cheers

Have you taken the plunge?

My wife and I are finally ready to take the plunge into real estate investing. 

I'd love to do some house flips as I feel I've been on the supplier end for a while now, but I feel I need more experience before I plunge into something major like that.  

Greetings, BPers,I'm fairly new to real estate investing, and I recently got the courage to take the plunge on purchasing my first few properties. 

I also don't own a vehicle, so having to drive to the other side of Chicago to plunge a toilet didn't appeal to me.

This article that recently came out in the SF Chronicle also talks about falling rent prices amongst various Bay Area counties and property types: San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. rent prices plunge as much as 31% — steepest decline in U.S., new report saysIt also references a Realtor.com September rent report that I thought was interesting.

This does not count bonuses we receive at work, just our flat salaries.I am new to REI and looking to make the plunge with my first rental property.

Is my agent right to steer me away from this property/area, or should I just take the plunge?

Ironically I have helped people get into investing in real estate, but have never taken the plunge myself.