.: I'm taking a break from buying and my previous approach of analyzing deals in inexpensive markets, looking at hundreds of properties on Zillow and running the numbers, which I spent hours each on each day and became really burned out.

I view it as a tool in a toolbox to help you "trim the fat" off the bottom of your portfolio, so you can keep growing with new acquisitions. 

Quote from @Brook Burns: Thanks so much for the recommendations!

So, hot Zip codes, don't touch or you'll get burned.

I'm originally from Florida and jumped into real estate after burning all the boats. 

They they get a big fat default judgement against you. 

They are not very mobile and this neighborhood looks about the same, demographically, as it did at the time of the Race Riot of 1967 where buildings all around your property were burned to the ground.

Otherwise, they will just end up ignoring you and you'll get frustrated. 3) Naive/newbie investors get burned all the time by only looking at the numbers - w/o fully understanding how the location/property/tenant will affect those numbers.- They often get sold Class C or D properties while using Class A assumptions - then wonder why they are losing money.Here's some copy & paste info that you hopefully find helpful:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Sadly, the place burned to the ground back in 2016.

So far besides a few books and a burning desire I am a complete novice to this.