We manage several hundred rental properties throughout the San Diego market and I found your post very interesting. 

I’m looking to invest out of my home state, Texas, and have narrowed it down to 3 markets.

I would always lean towards markets that are landlord-friendly. 

My market is houston text.

@Rajesh Kasturi My favorite MTR market for cash flow AND appreciation is Portland, OR. 

Rich Ng That's good to know, I know people who have had issues in Salem with big differences between market and section 8.

From there we identify properties that could have some potential and if you are interesting in diving deeper, 1) we do a thorough video walkthrough to give you a realistic look of the property, 2) we give a ballpark estimate of rehab costs (we do 40 a year with our GCs o we will get pretty close), 3) we talk through market rent with our property management team, ARV, and potential highest and best use.Ideally you find great investor agents who know their market really well and have a network of resources to provide you with enough confidence to take reasonable action. 

So, I’m curious how you are managing to find your deals, whether you are buying at auctions or via marketing direct to sellers.

Secondary Markets Are ThrivingOmaha and San Antonio are two examples of secondary markets where the cost of entry is still reasonable.

Purchase price: $77,000 Sale price: $85,000 Contributors: Peter Vekselman Partner Driven teamed up with Jamari Sprueil to secure this off-market deal in Decatur for $77,000.