A good property manager can be an invaluable resource for first-time investors, even before you purchase your first property.

Hi Otis,Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) can be a great tool for funding real estate deals, especially for private money deals.

Further, BPOs and appraisals show the properties have increased 50 to 60% in value during the last 3 years.

It would likely be comparable to what you pay in the NE.Just google "Lexington County tax estimator" or whatever county you're interested in and you'll usually find a web tool from the County you can use to estimate the tax bill based on the previous year's assessments.There is also a law called the ATI tax exemption that can potentially lower than 6% rate by 25%.

Take advantage of the great learning tools it has offer.

There’s not much I can do to control the Bay Area real estate market, and our property has gone down in value since we purchased it.

Different buyer pools homeowner vs investors and the returns are definitely in the 4 units or in value adding the 2s. 

Are there tools or rules to estimate the expenses. 

When that 500k RE value goes up only 5%, you now have 525k in value. 

My two cents is that the non-live broadcast is a commonly used marketing tool If it was "live" when it was first broadcast, then it is not a "scam" in my opinion but a rebroadcast that does not disclose that fact (not as professional as it could be).