That would be the key element + no rental restrictions Ramsey,Do not forget there are a ton of REI properties in areas not close to the beach or in a flood zone in Florida. 

I was planning to buy a distressed property and build equity in it with repairs/rehab, rather than pay top dollar for a turn key.

You’ll face hurdles like maintaining a steady deal flow, securing funding, managing renovations efficiently, and optimizing your exit strategies.This guide highlights key strategies for investors looking to transition from single deals to a scalable, volume-based distressed property investment model.1.

Those are key to demand and long-term value.It all comes down to your underwriting.

Hopefully, not an expensive tenant or Fair Housing lawsuit.100% of what @Travis Biziorek states is true, but he left out a key fact - he lived in the Detroit area when he started investing here, so was able to self-manage and meet everyone he had to hire face-to-face.

Do not simply trust a turn key provider, a wholesaler or even a real estate agent that is supposed to be looking for your best interest.

But there are a few ways to shake things up:Cash for Keys: Offer them money to move out.

I’ve seen deals get locked up in hours, so having my numbers ready ahead of time is key.

As always, make sure to run the numbers carefully and factor in local property taxes and HOA fees, which can vary widely in North Texas.Delayed gratification is key in real estate investing, but with patience, the rewards can be life-changing.Best of luck with your search

However the key is making sure the numbers pencil out so that, at minimum, even in the worst case, you can pay back that heloc because interest on that is going to be very high.