It's all the about the location and the view.

Networking with local investors through BiggerPockets, Facebook, and meetups can help you navigate the market, while avoiding common mistakes like underestimating expenses, poor tenant screening, and hiring the wrong property manager.Good luck!

I think because it's so competitive to survive in California, and being accustomed to high prices, they view the rest of the country as opportunity. 

I personally also bought a couple two flats to get started and I always looked at it from an overall expense view. 

So, the first question they usually ask a PMC is about fees - instead of asking about services and HOW those services are executed.EXAMPLE: PMC states they will handle tenant screening – what does that specifically mean?

Meanwhile, the adjacent property with a view of an industrial park will consistently get lower rents. 

By house hacking, you're immediately positioned as a landlord, which will adequately pressure you to learn how to structure your leases, screen applications, collect rental payments, resolve the nuances of managing tenants and addressing property issues, etc.

Perform the same task in each app to ensure a fair comparison.Load a property with pictures and details.Market that property.See what your marketing looks like from the public's perspective.Submit a fake application to see how easy the process is.Run a credit/screening report on yourself.Enter a maintenance request, assign a vendor, and attach a fake invoice.Enter charges to the tenant's ledger.Enter recurring charges and automatic late fees.Sign documents electronically.Run owner reports.After testing a few apps, one should clearly stand out.

Always Always Always get an inspection if your not going to view it yourself and get someone out there that you trust to look at it for you.

If you don't have a crazy house like a potato, a tremendous view or historical area, then choosing a pic is harder.I like the idea of the game room if that is your best feature.