I am currently looking for a single family residence or a small multi-family property in Fresno, CA for me to cut my teeth on.

With stocks, we get to log in, grit our teeth, scream at a screen, all with 0 control, just watch our $ grow or diminish. 

Houses are scarcer than hen's teeth, and there's not much to go around so agents are having a rough time of it.I ran some quick math numbers in my area yesterday and making a whole lot of assumptions (for example, only 40% of all local agents were party to a sale, everything that was available gets sold, etc) the math didn't seem to pencil out very well for agents right now.

They speak great English because they are born and raised here they know the industry say all the right things.. their main target is the dreamers like Ingrid Robinson was/is.. she was in the health field and decided to do a big development up at Clear Lake CA.. which is where i cut my teeth selling RE back in the 70s and my dad in the 60s .. so when i saw that and the property she wanted to develop there on American greed I was stunned.

For a new investor, my suggestion here is to find something where your all in project cost does not exceed 60% of the ARV - there is wiggle room here up to 65% of the ARV, however 60% is a safer bet and will allow you some room for miscalculation, market correction, contingency, etc.As a first timer, look for something easy - I would keep rehab to 15%-20% of the purchase price - something to cut your teeth on that a lender would agree is a good first project.A common issue with first timers is attempting heavy rehab/gut reno projects that may be a great deal, but in reality are riskier for lenders and first timers.Feel free to reach out with any questions, share my experience.

The best accountants and CPAs will be able to offer you a secure document transfer system in order to keep your sensitive information safe, and also be able to conduct their bookkeeping and tax return services electronically as well, saving both time and money.In my personal ventures into real estate, I have started several LLCs and would be happy to share my real estate experiences with you. 

If you desire to walk into someone's office nearby, that's understandable, but most things related to accounting can be accomplished the same way remotely with video call and email correspondence.We use a secure portal for all of our business and sensitive documentation. 

You don't want to be in the middle of a time sensitive transaction where your money is on the line and be working with someone who doesn't answer their phone or is slow to respond to emails.

definitely speak to your CPA on the matter if you want to go for the sale but you could always seller finance it to someone with a loan structure that has some teeth in a few years which would encourage the new owner to refinance.

Kareena, that's the marketing number, you really need to get the T12 proforma from them and check their underwriting, what's the NOI every year, their financing, their DSCR, their waterfall, their acquisition fee and their sensitivity analysis to interest rate changes.