The short version is that you want a strong and diverse job market, low unemployment rates, a growing population, low vacancy rates and new development, affordability/cost of living, real estate laws and court system, good schools, and low crime.Check out the videos from Dave Meyers with BiggerPockets.

A couple strategies that could make sense for a younger person without experience could be a live-in flip or a house hack.

Purchase price: $65,000 Cash invested: $30,000 Sale price: $195,000 Live in flip.

I tried Simpli Safe but, there cameras all need wifi to be able to live stream and record.

. $430 could be chicken feed to you.How big are your pockets lol.Obviously you want them to get bigger!

That could mean working with an investor willing to fund the deal for a share of the profits or starting smaller with a house hack or live-in flip to build credibility, or putting sweat equity into a deal with a partner to learn and build your track record.

I also live in Vacaville, I buy homes on terms throughout the bay area and Sacramento valley.

It is always nice to live close to your rental properties (although not absolutely necessary), and as a military guy you are able to choose where you retire to.

(But not for a “I’m going to live in it 50 weeks out of the year and rent it out two weeks”, IMHO, if that was your idea.  

According to a recent study, there are over 35 million able-bodied Americans living on welfare instead of working.