Chances are that's a smaller duplex or single family home to start with.Unless you have a rich relative or friend willing to pony up huge money for you as a personal favor, you'll have to start small, gain assets, credit, experience, etc.

One day, I can hopefully return the favor!

I feel you've got to be a bit more savvy around here to make things happen the right way.There's also the issue of more favorable landlord/tenant laws outside of CA.

Welcome Joseph,Just like Ryan said, you could start out wholesaling or start with sub2.In both situations, you are looking for motivated buyers in which you can make terms favorable for yourself.I strongly suggest putting some money aside, because in the end you will need some type of capital.

I don't know, but I hope that Indiana will take a "whole person" view of your life and weigh your past five years of sobriety in your favor. 

RR, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville are more favorable for renters and proximity to Austin, but do not forget south.

Today when bringing up the fact that the renovation of the 5 year vacant adjacent property (our project) was increasing her property value by north of $10,000, that was met with a predictable 'Don't act like you are doing us any favors!'.

We knew it would easily get bid up if it went through to the weekend so this was our one chance to get a favorable deal done for my Client so I asked them to counter at a price that they would be happy with so that we could get it done Friday night.

Provide favorable tax advantages.So you are meeting #2 and #3 but are having trouble with #1.

I read previously that price to rent ratios above 16% were considered favorable for buy and hold investors, but wanted to get the community's thoughts on how you incorporate these ratios into your analysis on the macro (different markets) and micro (inside a specific market) level.Do you shoot for a specific number when looking at markets from a macro level?