@Jack Jiang The Bay Area is a different animal and the rules and strategy are different than the generic stuff on BP.

I mean you don't even have space for live stock and the rules don't allow chickens!!!

Expenses related to maintenance, repairs, and improvements on the property may be tax-deductible.

Second, at least if you buy the right bad area it can go up as the area improves.

I'm using the "second home" strategy, My lender approved, but... they want me to stick to 14-day rule of personal use. 

Any other tid bits or rules of thumb would be helpful.

I am just starting out and looking for 1% rule in my area.

It might be difficult to succeed in a market as competitive as SLC, but there are tactics you can do to improve your chances of securing lucrative deals:Networking: Developing connections with nearby wholesalers, investors, real estate brokers, and other specialists in the field can yield important information and access to off-market transactions.

Here is a good rule of thumb:If you can live in one unit for the same amount of money (or something similar) as it would cost you to rent it, then likely the deal is worth it. 

The idea would be to use 50% of the total credit line being offered, to be conservative, for a downpayment, principle, improvements, etc.