There's a lot of stress in a first deal and trust issues from dealing with your agent, banker and lawyer for the first time I know it seems really easy and I know I've bought properties without seeing them but only after having a couple deals under my belt and doing it for a while If I were you I'd buy a ticket and close your deal in person

I love BP, but most people write in about their successes and not about what can go wrong very quickly.I started investing in Chicago because it's much cheaper than the New York market, but although property costs less I have a lot more expenses as far as plane tickets, time off from my day job, landscaping, snow shoveling, property management and paying repairmen higher prices for emergency fixes.  

Here is the GOLDEN TICKET.

3 months reserves if the vacancy rate is low and Capex items are in good condition.  6 months worth of rent if a big ticket item is on its way out and you have a high vacancy rate.

If you go with an older home, the price may be less but you may have more big ticket items that need work (roof, HVAC, etc) if they haven't been updated recently.  

You'll drive around town all day and night sometimes, talk to many real estate agents, send out thousands of letters or put out bandit signs and hope the city doesn't send you a pretty ticket (and no this ticket doesn't get you into the Dallas Cowboys game).

This is the Golden Ticket of real estate because it has the lowest rates and typically the lowest percentage down for something that is not a primary residency. 

@Ricardo NavarroThe big ticket items are roof, electric, hvac, plumbing, foundation.

Taxes, fines, fees, code violations, failed inspections, tickets, late fees, interest.

If you think you are going to buy 1 $500 lien and refinance a year later for $80, go buy lottery tickets instead.