John.Getting into investing in LA with $50-100k is going to be very difficult, as you know this market is super hot and very expensive.

If you can afford to be patient, time is on your side.

If everything continues to check out the plan would be to live in one side and rent out the other hopefully using an FHA loan.

The metro isn't that big, but I'd hate to make people drive to the other side of town for a meetup.

Hire the first guy that can do what's needed..Strongest Hurricane scheduled to hit FLA in all history if that's possible.Plywood,, scrap wood anything large enough laying around check garage / basement.Good Luck times not on your side. 

After years of being in the buy and hold side of real estate investing, I finally was a genuine 'Wholesaler"It happened after years of reading about it, watching the video's  and then going back to read again with the same question, reflecting my fear and confusion of "what is it again to be a 'wholesaler?"

On a side note, I have ran my numbers on my personal home to see if it will be a great rental property for me. 

I'd be very interested to hear peoples' thoughts on how they integrated REI with the personal side of things and lived to tell about it. 

@Curt Davis Remember, you can't just fill in the pool - you are better off removing it or at very least cracking the bottom and sides up as much as possible to let water drain.

I have been looking for a 2 flat that needs a little work on the west side (Logan square / Humboldt park area), and there are maybe 2 for sale!