I, too, just took the plunge!! 

While the state's population dropped by 7,391 people in 2014, te number more than tripled in 2015, to 22,194.The plunge is mainly a result of the large number of residents leaving the state last year — about 105,200 in all — which couldn't be offset by new residents and births, according to census data.

I'm an American based in Japan, and finally decided to take the plunge as a personal investor a couple months ago and acquired a 14 unit residential building in Osaka.  

I have one item to add for consideration:  Will falling gas prices spur the up to this time absent Millennials to take the plunge into home ownership in 2015?

This gives me an idea for labor and parts costs, i.e. my rehab budget.So after 9 months of taking the plunge into RE, I've worked with a successful investor, I'm getting my RE license which allows me to put in my own offers, I have private $ lined up, pricing for repairs figured out, and a handful of towns i've begun looking into for rehab deals.You may not "get lucky" like me and be able to work one on one with a mentor in your area, but don't let that stop you.

Their fear of making mistakes, fear of failing, and fear of taking the plunge fearing failure.All these concerns cannot compare to the plight your dad, and many other immigrant Patriarchs and Matriarchs, faced moving to a new country with very little if anything to their name.

And to their credit, many of these generous investors give AMPLE warning about the need to perform serious due diligence before taking the RE investor plunge.

With that being said, it's a good idea to really take the time to research the area you're interested in buying.It will take some time to learn enough for you to take the plunge.

I would recommend this for anyone looking at getting into short term rentals because it gives you experience before making the plunge.

If you've never set a toilet before there a couple things you should consider before you take the plunge.