Here's what I’m targeting:Investment Criteria:Unemployment rates below the national average.Rent-to-price (RTP) ratio of 0.60 or higher.Median home prices below $150,000.Growing population and areas where rents are stable or increasing.Key Questions:Which markets have you found to be ideal for first-time investors?

@David HerfelTurnkey properties are ideal for first-time investors and busy individuals with demanding jobs, offering immediate cash flow and less surprises.

They put 100k here plus here and there over dozens of deals and hope the portfolio average stays positive over time.I know I deal with very wealthy people on a daily basis and have talked to thousands of millionaires over the phone through the decades.

Once you decide:Take photos  - create the write upList in the places you want to find your ideal client -roommateInterview the people you'll be comfortable having at your home.Lease and repeat!

Be also mentally and emotionally prepared for the folks that think just because this is not your primary home, it's somehow less of a catastrophic event for you because others did lose their primary homes.That's why it's vital for you to form support networks with people who are in your same boat - ideally in the same community.This truly pains me to share - but most of the disasters I'm seeing across Western NC are going to be considered flood events and if you do not have a separate flood policy you will likely get no coverage.

The increasing number of STEM-related jobs keeps housing demand high, making it an ideal location for investors seeking strong appreciation and rental demand.

I deal almost exclusively in commercial property, and in the few occasions I’ve done residential deals they’ve been with investors.  

If you are spending 325K on buying and 200K on rehab all in you are at 525K, you'd ideally need the ARV into the 600/700K range to give cushion and room since I would assume you would do a refi at the end.

And I feel the ideal portfolio can benefit from the diversification of both.I feel directly owned properties are great because they give me maximum control and the ability to tweak them exactly how I want.

My ideal place in the blue ridge area would be on the toccoa river.