Going long distance can be tough when you’re just starting out - might be worth it to get a few local deals under your belt first.

I have run the scenarios, done the spreadsheets and have a successful 4plex under my belt, but I have not lived through a recession with a 4plex in my portfolio.  

College is a waste and for suckers (I got 8 years under my belt I know).

Fill your tool belt with as many tools as possible and sharpen the **** out of them tools. 

You get experience getting your first investment under your belt and you get to significantly reduce (or eliminate) your housing expense allowing you to invest more money per month into future deals!

Once I have some experience under my belt to show for then I feel the investors will be more confident in me. 

The more-specific fears I had of buying the kind of rundown Rust Belt C/D SFR properties I tend to invest in had to do with the viability of the house.

For your first deal, don't buy a 70-110-year-old single-family house in a Rust Belt hood for $35K because a wholesaler told you it has a ARV of $250K and just needs some TLC.

Looking forward to browsing, learning and soon(tm) contributing to the forums when I have some more knowledge under my belt. 

You can use some rules of thumb, but you might want to get a few deals under your belt before going that route.