If you have large debt with a high interest rate, I would consider paying that off before getting started investing in real estate. 

It is a great market but highly recommend partnering with an agent who knows the market and has experience dealing with investors as location is key. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

If you go this route, make sure there is a very very very wide spread because it's so high risk and easy to lose.

That's including high Baltimore property taxes, expenses, mortgage, etc. 

Wishing I had bought a duplex or really any piece of property straight out of high school for a jump start but here I stand. 

But my other unit is less than a mile away with three units and it costs $100 a month for those three.it’s absurdly high. 

Building on existing land helps eliminate the issue of land scarcity, which is a significant challenge due to California’s high real estate prices.

So, that specific area isn’t in a high-growth stage.  

I don’t care if you steal a property, high quality tenants will never sacrifice on being safe and feeling safe.