However, there are areas of this great city that I choose not to invest in. I

I think Fresno is a great market to flip in, I show buyers flips all the time that look great in MLS pics, which leads buyers to want to see them.  90% of them are done so cheaply that we walk in and out right away.  

I had them upgraded to breaker panels shortly after I moved in. I

Welcome to Biggerpockets, this is a great resource to connect with investors in the area and connect with people who are experienced in investing in real estate in different markets than they live in. I

Somehow they passed the inspections on both and then after the tenant moved in, I had to pay my other plumber to fix a bunch of stuff.But plumbing is the hardest trade to get right now - by far. 

That is a good point once I find a property im really interested in I guess that’ll be the to run the number and decide what works best.Mathew

I’m trying to decide if it’s better for me to buy something out of state and rent it out or is it better to buy a place for me to live in. I

For example, one city I'm in is dominated by transportation, another by a military base. 

I'm not a contractor but I'll throw my two cents in, I have worked closely with many over the years on my deals. 

The shops were built before city code for commercial buildings was enforced and are grandfathered in. I