Quote from @Joshua Janus: Cleveland, Ohio is a great market to focus on for cash flow and specific pockets have gone up 2x and upwards of 4x in the last 5-10 years even!

Even if it is for just 2 years.

If you determine that the numbers look good, make sure to check other sites to see if the comparable property is on multiple sites that may add to the numbers.  

Considering that, you are likely going to see appreciation year over year, which essentially will be additional equity you'd capture just by simply living in the home. 

So, again, an opportunity to take on less risk initially to get the learning curve out of the way.Bottom line - your approach doesn't have to start out one or the other. 

I love living in CA, but if you're an investor and like to have your properties in LLCs, it kind of suck. $800 yearly tax for each LLC.

Only other initial question I'll leave here is that I'm looking for REI mentors and hope to find a few on BP willing to share a few gold nuggets to those willing to slog it out in the mines the smart or hard way.

@Stacy A Stewart Welcome to BP.

I use Rentredi.I also use Paypal, Zelle, Venmo.I make it as easy as possible for people to give me money.I track it all in a spreadsheet for many properties.

Setting ambitious goals keeps me motivated to grow and enhance my investing portfolio.