Real estate has historically been a long term play.this idea that someone who otherwise never cared about real estate, can simply dial up a realtor and buy instant 4 digit monthly cashlfow is something born out of YouTube.

I was born in LA (Santa Monica to be exact) and lived the majority of my life there so I know from personal experience that a few homeless people and some random graffiti tagging doesn't mean anything. 

I was born and raised in York, PA.

My Cali Brothers and Sisters. . .Beware of the drab snow covered, no sun for freekin' ever midwest.I, born and raised in the city of the Angels, spent the better part of my medical career spanning Kansas, to Minnesota, to South Dakota, to Wisconsin and gud lordy Nebraska.There is a thing called seasonal affective disorder, which I thot was for sissies. . .. . .and realized that I am a big sissy when it comes to cabin fever and bone chilling cccold, and everything is DEAD until spring!

Most people don't realize how much stupid debt keeps them trapped.  

Generally, I would stay away from any C or D class areas or getting caught in cash flow traps...no real equity gains and why own a depreciating investment?

How ironic that the acronym for the ordinance is TRAP

The indicators are born in things like P/E and Book value.It's the same principle in REI. 

(The trap that I fall in from 2001 through 2006).Now, after a year of operation, your mechanical system or plumbing system or roof needs to be replaced and you do not have money to do that or tenant moves out.

That is also a dangerous newbie trap - not every deal involving a motivated seller is worth buying - even if it was given to you...