there is a REI in orange county that meets in kingston every few weeks, you can find it on meet ups. it cost like 20 bucks or so to go, pays for the venue and refreshments.

My second property I purchased was a 2-family 5 BR , 2BTH home in East Orange NJ bought for $240,000.

I currently flip homes mainly in LA and Orange Counties.

Judy I will be in Little Rock again in July 2018. 

@Steven Torrez, Comparing your 401k returns with real estate returns may be like comparing apples to oranges. 401k returns are very passive with little input from you.Real estate returns can be alot better or worse depending on your strategy,talent,leverage, and level of involvement.REI can also be as active or passive as you want.As for your question about borrowing from it to get started and avoiding PMI costs, that makes total sense to me.Last year I converted my 401K to a self directed Solo 401K, and it has worked out very well.

@Judy YouensYou may go to this link http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investment-calculator

1) Case Shiller Chart for SF, LA, and Atlanta2) Population Net Inflow for SF, LA, and Atlanta between 2010 - 20143) Peak and Trough Date and Peak to current declines4) Inventory Chart of four cities in Orange County

I'm based on Orange County CA, small business owner and work in advertising, television, media.  

Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, Reminderville, Aurora, Auburn, Russel, Middlefield, Mantua and possibly a little into cuyahoga, beachwood, orange, lyndhurst, pepper pike ect.

My husband and I are house hacking in south orange NJ.