I'd say first identify a strategy, choose a market that aligns with it and establish your Core 4 Real Estate Team.The main challenge I observed is that individuals often lack a clear end goal or strategy or they select a market that doesn't align with their chosen strategy.

the lady trying to borrow had this great notion but no experience and the property she was trying to buy I happened to know very well it was in Clear Lake CA no way it could be developed.. but she had a dream and Remington fed into that dream. 

@Andy OkamotoOne cautionary note: if your idea of "cash flow" is $10K in net operating income, $120K before taxes in your pocket every year off your rental property, well, if it happens to you in 10 years, it will be a low-probability event with a lot of lucky breaks and eventually will likely ruin your life when you make a misstep because you assumed your lucky break was the norm.If you're serious about moving out here, at least look at the Pittsburgh area and its proximity to Carnegie Mellon (tech) and UPMC (health care).

I put twenty percent down at time of purchase as well.

We are a full service property management and real estate brokerage based in Virginia looking to assist anyone as well as invest on our own.

Down the road, this can hurt the investor because you'll find yourself with a unit rented well below market rent when its time to sell.

@Brad Birky, Well that sucks.

Happy to be a resource for you as well & good luck on your journey!

I get where y'all are coming from in terms of "be happy you've had a long, stable tenant," and yet I want to point out they have greatly benefited from being in the building this long as well.  

In short, what they offer is fraudulent and they well know it.