I am looking to make my next move and really want to learn about markets outside of LA.

PM fees are another good reason to not buy outside your own market. 

Hi BP i'm Brendan Lawrence, i own a marketing company in Germantown, Maryland. I'm happily married and have two young children. I've always been fascinated with real estate. i believe that as my marketing company matu...

Make sure you have cash, or access to outside funds,If you plan on getting a discount, and using a mortgage your chances get drastically slimmer.Stay away from 203k loans (have more cash available for the rehab) you will get stuck with FHA inspectors and end up needing to fix more then you may want to, be required to use more expensive contractors, and go through hell trying to finish the work under budget. 

Get your motivation from people who actually do it not outsiders. 

Together as a team, we feel confident and are ready to take action into securing our family’s financial future.We have seen a lot of debate about whether becoming licensed as a real estate agent/broker/realtor is necessary, but because we both are in this together, we have decided that my wife will be the one to become licensed, eliminating having to hire an outside agent, killing two birds with one stone.

We can handle jobs ranging from the roof of property down to the foundation-everything in between, and going outside to the landscaping. 

My husband and I are screening a tenant and I need some outside opinions.

Sure it might make sense for you to get some management fee, as otherwise you would pay the to an outside company.  

Then when you start investing out of state or grow to so many properties you need to hire outside management, you'll be working from a base of wisdom, rather than naivete.