Of course I have much to learn before making confident decisions!

I’ve done tons of research on the subject of real estate for the past couple years and I’m confident that I can find success if I sacrifice and put my all into it.

So, if you plan to hold for 20, that's definitely the better way to go.How confident are you in the ARV?

Looking at real estate prices in other parts of the country, I feel much more confident in my ability to afford the initial start-up fees of purchasing an investment property on my current teacher salary.Has anyone had any luck with their first property being out of state?

I had studied real estate investing for 2 years prior to this and hit the wall - no money, no credit, no confidence. 

I no longer see the same potential for appreciation in areas that I know well enough to feel confident buying, and the bar to entry is even higher than it was before.

I am not saying they don't exist here as I am confident they do, but I just have not put in the time yet to find THAT ONE! 

In my situation, my wife hesitated at the beginning when I brought up the investment in REI; however, I slowly build up her confidents day by day by:1.

You've got to visit.... if you're contractor up and left you... what gives you the confidence it's ready to sell? 

Nothing builds your confidence like a deal or two though.