(CRMC).These are companies that have been audited by the National Association of Residential Property Managers and have demonstrated a high standard for both procedures and customer service.Again, I believe the best way to find a good property manager is to seek a property manager out and has invested in advanced training and education and has attained designations, usually they also have years of experience.Kevin

My goal is to own at least 10 property within 10 yrs and I think its very attainable.

My main question here is: What actionable/attainable steps should I take to get started in obtaining buy and hold rental properties (either in-state in California, which sounds difficult from what I have heard, or out-of-state, which more affordable)?

. ($50k vs $110k)  It has the most educated population in the country with educational attainment rates about double Baltimore's as well. 

Thak you Lumi & Bri, I have been eyeballing a duplex and the 5% down may make this attainable...if I can get 5% down on a conventional 3-4 unit the #'s could potentially be better...sounds like time to get a mortgage professional on my team to see what my wife and I can qualify for.

It feels so good to actually have a goal that is completely attainable and be making real progress towards it.Just wanted to say thanks for the TONS of great information from the community here! 

So getting a loan 203k loan that would require 3.5% down might be hard to attain.

Start by knowing what your goals are, specifically. ( cashflow, profit upon sale, appreciation), then determine what assets you have to achieve said goals, (cash on hand, borrowing power, knowledge of construction, construction ability/contacts)....then attain What remains missing to achieve said goals.

These will be soul searching kind of sacrifices but if you choose to accept and execute the challenge and educate yourself and make shrewd, safe investments you can attain financial independence by the age of 35.

Started off a tad slow, but then again its mostly because my wife had our first son in Feb... getting anything done for the first 3 months was HARD...My goals werent 'stretch' goals, but something I could attain this year:6 wholesales6 flipsForm LLCExpand into one other marketAll setting up next year where I can flip one house a month, and buy 2 houses a year to build a rental portfolio.So far, I have 2 wholesales, and 2 flips going, with one flip undercontract, the other going on mkt later this week.