Ideally I'd like to invest out of state in the future (a state a bit more landlord friendly with a higher ROI) but if I want to make a tactical purchase in Detroit/Metro Detroit where would you suggest... budget $250-270k financed.  

I’m out of VA loan money and this will be our first actual conventional loan experience and it’s because of this that we’re thinking of doing a less than ideal home that we can fix up over time while saving for another more acceptable home to raise two growing boys in.

Ideally you want something that is already zoned.

SF market in a few of the markets I am considering are in ideal locations for school districts or sought-after neighborhoods.

Main thing right now is that the rates are still incredibly low and so if you have non-performing assets you should sell those and ideally do a 1031 exchange into a better deal in a better market.

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@Lynnette E. it seems like you’ve had similar past experiences as I have, which is why I’d love to put together a great group of people who know their business, know their worth, and know that working together with other amazing professionals is nothing but a win win scenario.

Appreciate it @Lynnette E..

Ideally you'd use 2-3 check valves in series as this helps if one of the valves is partially or fully open due to debris or waste. 

The passive loss rules for rental RE do let you offset some of your W2 income while offsetting most of the costs to own the RE and ideally while it is appreciating.