Then see if anyone will mentor you (a GREAT mentor will want value exchange... buying them coffee may not do it)Where to invest;I can only speak to what I know but the Rhode Island, SE/NE Connecticut, and some Southern MA markets are all pretty hot.

I could call myself a genius for buying the house I did in 2019, it's gone up over 60% since I bought it, however, it's not my genius, it's the fact the market overall, and especially SE TN, exploded during 2020-2023.

How do you se the "rented" rooms?

“Getting into real estate” per se is not your goal.

You knew the situation with the rental, lack of security deposit etc.So, with these costs factored into your plans right from the time of purchase, they are really just part of the costs to get the place rehabbed and you haven't "lost" anything per se.

Ireside in SE Pennsylvania and would like my first investment property to be local to the area. 

I personally like new construction in the SE in markets like AL, SC, FL, TX, etc. where you will see strong cash flow and strong appreciation in both rents and market values. 

I'm looking to connect with property managers in SE Georgia, Ellabell, Pembroke area.Are referrals/recommendations would be appreciated!! 

blabla re expenses vs increase of basis there after.tnx, curt i agree with you on basis thats how i would think it works  but not a CpA or expert all the props I have taken back in foreclosure and its more than a few.. thats how we came up with our basis when we finally resold. keep in mind we did not keep them for rentals as we are not in the rental bizz per se.. so if you keep them I guess you need to figure out basis to establish how much your deprecation is going to be.

If you haven't already, get a lawyer as it is generally a bad idea to be a pro-se litigant.