Hi Tiffani, often new appliances that are "off brands" that you purchase come with a warranty and perform well plus they look new.  

@Thomas FarrellRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I‘m also happy to travel to speak to groups or provide 1:1 coaching along your purchasing experience. 

To OP, it's not as scary as you think it is, this will be your first home purchase, you can purchase a multi family or SFR and house hack.

Purchase price: $129,000 Cash invested: $5,000Condo we lived in and fixed up.

LTR could get $3200-3400.3-just purchased in August a townhouse in Costa Mesa California 3 miles from the beach walking distance from the back bay great location.

I want to know more about the area and build a team that can help me purchase and manage properties.   

refinance our own home with some money down + purchase another flip? 

Hence, to reiterate the reason for adequate research before purchasing a property. 

This is my first purchase, where my intent was to install recessed lighting all throughout the house.