I have a lot of family in the real estate business, in Pittsburgh, and have been educating myself throughout the last few years, including reading many books through Bigger Pockets, such as Long Distance Real Estate Investing.

One months rent and one refrigerator takes away one year cash flow out of your pocket. 

@Jacob Crowe,Welcome to Bigger Pockets.

Stuff like this comes right out of the landlord's pocket.

Hi all, brand new to bigger pockets and to real estate investing.I am having the first time buyer nervous jitters.Thought maybe some of you all with experience could give your two cents worth.I am considering purchasing a home for about $48,000.

Say I'm out of pocket $100/month ($1200/year) but my mortgage paydown is $7k/year, that's a 583% return.

While living in Japan I started studying real-estate via Bigger Pockets. 

This is the reason I joined bigger pockets.

I love the community that has been built and is continuing to be built here at bigger pockets.

I am shadowing you bigger pockets agents and investors by starting these discussions and using your responses as guidance.