Hello everybody,I couldn't find the new member introduction "room" so please forgive me in advance if I am totally off base here.My name is Alex and I currently live in sunny (and currently firey) Southern California.

If you are willing to make a little bit of sacrifice on where you live then there is definitely the opportunity to cash flow.I bought and live in a multi unit in Inglewood which as of this week is the location that has seen the greatest appreciation in Southern California. 

I live in a 55+ MHP in Southern CA. 

Should I stretch and get a FHA loan here in Southern California for a duplex (probably going to be $500k+) so that when we rent out the other unit we can save on the mortgage to save for another property?

I’m interested in networking and connecting with folks in the Southern California area to learn more about first time home buying and the real estate market.

So we, with the help of family members, started two airbnb's in the Lake Arrowhead area of Southern California which have been producing quite nice cash flow.

So we, with the help of family members, started two airbnb's in the Lake Arrowhead area of Southern California which have been producing quite nice cash flow.

This is an uncommon style of house in the area but it is very southern and it would serve my purposes of incorporating an outdoor livable space that is protected from the elements and also helps to create a Thermodynamic breezeway removing heat from the house which is very important here in Florida.  

@Alfred Johnson We're (more or less) right up the road from you in Southern, Virginia.

Things that I've looked for are a) past 10-year population growth, 2) projected 10-year population growth, 3) general/median/average price level of 3/2 SFH units, 4) estimated rent (in comparison #3), 5) average age of structures (thinking that newer = less long term maintenance) 6) property taxes 7) job growth etc, all of which I've found to be more favorable in some southern states and towns.