If you're going to start in a market you're eventually going to live in, I think that's a stronger case for that market."

The market I'm working in is totally locked up.

Understand what you are investing in....is it a secured loan, unsecured loan, membership interest in an entity that deploys capital like a feeder fund or direct membership interest in an entity that is the deed holder? 

Check out Furnished Finder, Airbnb and VRBO (30+ day stays) to get a good idea of what else is out there in the area of El Paso you are looking in. I

Quote from @Robert Jones: @Kristi Kandel what market are you in? I

I'm trying to narrow down some options and do a deeper dive on maybe 2 or 3 of the best potential markets to see which one makes sense to start in. I

More recently San Antonio for apartment complexes - one of them asked me if I wanted to join in their deal, $75,000 in. I

The way I countered this (still not as good as buying a note with idle cash but I have checkbook control) is the money paid out from a note fund I invested in is at Axos bank.

Buy-in is often more conducive than other more saturated markets and there's such a wide variety of options to choose from. 

It is true that you are able to find deals in every market, but one of the things I have learned is that finding the best markets to invest in is better that trying to make deals work in a bad market just because it is close to home.To answer your other questions.