Money that you DON'T end up using toward bills stays on the mortgage balance permanently, limiting the amount of interest you will pay.3.

There are a lot of quirks and oddities in Louisiana law where the current tenant can assert that they have an implied agreement that they can pay late, stay X months without a lease, do whatever action, etc, based on what the current landlord/owner has allowed and told them in the past.

I do intend to stay close to home - but home provides only annual opportunities and I’m looking for year round possibilities with tax deed properties. 

I’m open to exploring those locations since they aren’t too far of a drive.I’m leaning towards a SF property because I have $10,000 to put down, want to stay within my budget, and being new to this, I’d like to start small.

I would stay away at all costs. 

G'Day Alejandro,As a few have already mentioned, take a peak at Toledo also.In my opinion lower potential for long term appreciation but solid/"boring" cashflow.I prefer my portfolio to be "boring" but cashflowing lolLow entry points (Sub $100,000), high rents (Above the 1% rule).Blue collar working class decent folks that will stay and pay.Depending on the area but no derelict homes, yards well kept, cars with wheels and all tenants are employed.Plus, all are sophisticated enough to pay rent online so property management doesn't have to collect rents with bullet proof vests and shot guns lolI'm bias toward Toledo but it's worth considering.Wishing you much success

So on numerous occasions, I have expressed my concerns about staying within my budget.Now on top of this, the property manager let the pipes freeze and they leaked and the boiler also cracked which I was told to file an insurance claim.

Thank you in advance,Steven I'd advise staying away from Section 8 in BHM and be conservative when running rental numbers. 

We want to acquire a property in one of these areas, not only as an investment but also as a place where we can stay when we visit the United States.

@Amir Portal  I think you should stay open to all areas.