I have done my research online and it doesn't seem like the strongest market (population is stagnant, crime rate is not the best, job industry isn't very strong) but I know personal accounts are important as well. 

Its typically about a $20k job in a typical size row house.

For someone who is going to be a hands own operator and rely on real estate as their full time employment in lieu of a W2 job, or foresees that transition at some point,  buying the entry level low barrier assets can serve a useful function.

New here, but have been reading the forums for several months as I consider real estate investing, but am having a hard time convincing my spouse the potential "hassle" of a poor tenant is worth the benefits.Our situation includes both of us working full time w-2 jobs and our primary goal is to assist in reducing annual tax burdens. 

I'm of course bias, but I chose Reno because of it's proximity to CA, no state income tax, stable job growth, population growth, land constraints (constricted supply), proximity to Lake Tahoe, etc. 

There are plenty of block that are still rough you can't sugar coat that, but projects such as the Pennovation Center and the Bellwether District are set to bring tons of new jobs and value to the area.

Since you are just graduating college you may already realize that it's not what you know, but who you know (as a personal note, I had college friends that were barely passing their classes however they ended up with really good paying jobs due to "who they knew").

Build a legal rental unit with kitchen, bathroom, new windows and others, according to the design from Sokol Design-Build GroupDig out the basement and install a new concrete slab, it's a separate addition job and will cost $ 15K - $ 20K.much better than the first one (and yes both are insured and are experts in the field) I may have to GC this project myself to save some money. 

@Chris F.I like to track job with/losses and median income for that area as well.

Gals and Gents,I have read a lot in the past BP articles and listened to many BP podcasts, it's a pleasure becoming part of the crowd.Let me introduce myself, I am active in the NYC market, I buy a lot of class C properties rehab / convert, rent them out, I have done rinse and repeat many many projects and I am seeing nice returns, not always fully recoup my full investment but I am generally finishing all in at around a 9 or 10 cap!