I now realize that this is only attainable in highly desirable locations and with larger or more unique properties.

I'm sure your parents know what houses go for around them, is 413k for a new or freshly remodeled attainable there?

I do look at the population, rental laws, rental laws, and major businesses/organizations (hospitals, universities, big business, etc.)

@Shrikant Kakani- thanks ...if you  dont need to use financing - disreagrd the following tip ..if you will need to use a loan to acquire your 1st investment property - I would recommend getting the formal loan pre approval step completed ..this is free  and it will help answer many questions you have  and  help get you organized and  prepared .

I have been through the worst experience with this drywaller.I am not using a general contractor, I have been organizing the labor myself.

149 repaid loans - 81 active loans...well run organization that understands bridge notes 

As long as you are very organized and everything is good then I would say you're fine

See, there is 0% chance a person would get anywhere close to this # solo, that should be obvious that it will take an organization of people.

Feel free to inquire about their staff qualifications if it's a larger organization.2.

Getting Organized: Finding Functional Patterns and Flow