You have to know the neighborhoods, what's going to sell, where to add value, how to get the deal priced correctly, and how to exit the deal (financing relationships at banks, etc).So it's not us saying you can't find a good deal to flip for appreciation - but its a contact sport out there right now and for someone with little time you are at risk of losing capital, not gaining.As far as choosing a rental that "you" would live in - think of picking a property that your niece, nephew, son, or daughter would want to live in.

Not saying you shouldn’t own for hunting or sporting purposes but certainly not for self defense.

Brandon Proctor RE is a cash intensive sport.

For every real estate tycoon (or sports star, movie star, retail tycoon, or internet entrepreneur) there are hundreds or thousands of people who are just as smart, know just as many right answers, and work just as hard, but just do something a little different and come out much worse.

It has been a long time, but the Kings have prevailed and have posted the mots dominating playoff series in all of professional sports history going 16-4 and losing only one road game (winning 10 in a row, previous sports playoff record held by LA Lakers at 8 games in a row).Go Kings Go!

Manufacturing wealth, you can certainly agree, requires much more fluency in the sport than a simple capacity to buy...

My salary is decent for an engineer my age, flexible and I certainly don't hate going to work as I get to see things most people in this world won't- but I often find myself having real estate on the mind whenever I have free time at work, much like how other people like to surf sports and celebrity news sites.  

Add to that southern California has:Amusement parks (including world famous Disneyland)Zoos and AquariumsCultural events Major sporting eventsTourist attractions galoreWorld renowned shopping centersHigh tech companiesWorld class medical centers, universities, etc.and finally BEACHES!!

Why would sports stars, music stars, movie stars buy almost walking distance from your front door?

Every college in the country will have thousands and thousands of students working and going to school or student athletes spending 50+ hours a week on their sport.