I have a good amount in savings, and as a first-time homebuyer, I believe I can lock in a low interest rate.

@Robert B Azimi measure it and call a concrete guy.

Quote from @Reyna Ayala: Hi first time landlord to a duplex in new city.

Purchase price: $150,000 Cash invested: $1,500 A month ago my banker (who's is also also an agent) from my home town where I have other properties called me and asked if I wanted to buy this house.

Where these numbers are found, there is a very high rate of rent actually being paid.We have over a dozen Fortune 500 companies just in Metro Detroit with huge Healthcare, Auto, and mortgage industry National footprints.

Bigger Pockets is a great place for education and networking. 

One without the other, is a bad deal. 

I would add that you can go a long way just having some clean color schemes (two wall colors and one trim color will do almost any house) and a few tasteful accent pieces. 

Yes, you will likely pay close to or at retail value if you are buying a quality property that has been properly renovated. 

As I’m interested in real estate, I feel like your success in this industry is about your connections as well as  having a good mentor.