You need to balance purchase price with how much equity you can expect to gain after you repair it.

I think my primary benefit would be to try and gain access to mls opportunities as an investor.

Eveything here is ridiculously overpriced and draped in regulations it seems so I've expanded my sights outside of the area.Locations of interest include; Northern VA, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, NC, and SC.Plan:Small/Medium sized multi family properties 4-10 units. 2/1 up to 3/2 if available.Purchase price under $450,000 with a minimum of $100 cash flow per door after expenses but a target of above $250 per door after expenses.Cash on cash should be above 10% with 15%+ as targetProperties would be managed by local management company or Live-in manager.My plan, criteria, and areas of focus change with more knowledge gained.

Eveything here is ridiculously overpriced and draped in regulations it seems so I've expanded my sights outside of the area.Locations of interest include; Northern VA, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, NC, and SC.Plan:Small/Medium sized multi family properties 4-10 units. 2/1 up to 3/2 if available.Purchase price under $450,000 with a minimum of $100 cash flow per door after expenses but a target of above $250 per door after expenses.Cash on cash should be above 10% with 15%+ as targetProperties would be managed by local management company or Live-in manager.My plan, criteria, and areas of focus change with more knowledge gained.

(Spoiler alert) -  I didn't end up going to college and I gained a lot of valuable insight from the responses I got. 

Even if you make zero, you gain a buttload of knowledge in the process, which is invaluable.

I gained a little bit of social confidence, probably after about 8 months to a year (this was never a fast process, nor was it ever deliberate). 

I've always been a fan of the working for free method in the beginning to gain experience (i'm a resident physician and have been doing this for years essentially).

Honestly, people want the capital gains.... 

Some of my properties have probably gained market value in the last few years since I bought but I don't want to make that assumption in this analysis until I have a new appraisal.Taxes have NOT been taken into account, but I think you all know that real estate beats the stock market hands down in this category.My biggest takeaway is that you need appreciation to achieve outstanding returns in real estate.