@Dee CulversonWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

@Jerome Reidman it sounds like you will have some good leads already but keep in mind that Bigger Pockets does have state specific forums here. 

Which means, since you would have put all your cash flow into paying off the properties, and kept no profit, all of these costs came out of your pocket.So, you would be at a constant loss...and that loss would be growing with every property you buy, and with every year of ownership.As long as you are buying with cash, you are losing money. 

yes, LA will have a higher appreciation, make sure to factor the appreciation rate against your loss of cash flow in LA vs your rent rate in LA and appreciation and cash flow in Fresno.  

You'll need people to debrief with as it can be a lonely road and you will want to share success and losses along the way with people who can relate.Those who are 2-5 years ahead of you are who you should really be learning from and paying attention to.

You might get a biased answer on Bigger Pockets since we are all real estate nerds :) But if I had $100,000 set aside ready to invest in something for a profit, I would only be looking at investing in something I know very well.

There's a lot to this electrical story but I'll try to focus on what I'm here for which is a practical and more immediate solution to a much bigger problem of a building built in 1911.Upon purchase of a 4 unit building I find the first floor, and much of my basement, is dark.

That might create a basis and at-risk issue for the other investor where he cannot deduct the losses from the partnership for tax purpose. 

I listened to bigger pockets religiously, but barely participated in the forum.

This is my first post on bigger pockets.