I had to have the visceral experience of committing to a 30 year obligation was 5 times my annual salary and then watch it work out relatively risk free (because I have to live somewhere) to feel comfortable making multiple six-figure commitments. 

But an even bigger reason why the numbers are skewed is that a huge chunk of the overall crime is committed by the 19 million visitors to Myrtle Beach each year (think drunk driving, drug possession, etc) and of course tourists don't get factored into the full-time resident population. 

It just shows economic illiteracy and a commitment to buying votes rather than supporting rational policy.

I do not have a job or any income (although I have a job with my dad at his business guaranteed my senior year) but I still am committed to make rental property investing work for me and start before I am out of high school. 

If you're 50/50 on whether to do it, I would encourage you to self-manage your first few rentals and then when it becomes too much of a time commitment turn it over to 3rd party management.

Before I could show you a home and you didn't even have to commit to me as your Realtor! 

Commit 10 hours a week, initially, to real estate.

Period.If a person commits fraud then they should be punished. 

If they are not able or willing to honor their commitment to pay the full rent amount, it's time to start negotiating a mutual termination agreement, cash for keys, or eviction.

Sorry to hear this.I would always say that "There is nothing wrong with any property as long as the price is right".Granted, some are not salvageable and the deal doesn't make sense even if the seller paid to me to take it lolOver the past 10 years I have witnessed many investors trying to do the same thing as you.Purchase from afar without buying turnkey and trying to do it themselves.This has been popular especially the last few years.Not many succeed unfortunately or they don't succeed in my eyes as they are into deals for much more than what they should be.There is a big trend going on where folks are made to "feel involved" with the purchase, rehab and property management process.The properties look great and off-course they do as rehabs cost $40,000 - $50,000.It doesn't sound like a lot of money for folks from CA and NY but for our local standards it is and IMO kills the cashflow and is unnecessary overcapitalization.Each to their own I guess.Just had a call the other week with a fellow from CA that bought a few turd properties from a local scam artist and is flying to town to try and rehab them himself.Another fella I managed to save even tho he lost his deposit of $1,000 as the seller (Another known scam artist) made him commit to the deal without allowing an inspection or even a walkthrough...If that isn't a red flag then I don't know what is 🤷‍♂️Hat's off to you for flying into to town to see the property for yourself.Wishing you much success