Being local to the area where you're buying is important and can help you find local funding sources such as private lenders and/or future partners. 

I recently use to be a Pro member but had to put my membership on hold after buying my first home a month ago.

Speaking broadly, I think the best investment strategy involves finding properties that aren't fully utilizing their income potential.At a more sophisticated level, that might mean buying a fourplex of large two-bedrooms, making relocation agreements with the tenants, remodeling the units into three-bedrooms, and then renting them out at market rents.

I'm looking to buy a new construction home in CA for $750,000 as an investment property (around 8% interest rate) with 20% down.

v=5yLr4ktCtqY&t=1807s).David and Rob advised that since I'm in a bad location, I should consider selling the house and buying in a better area judging by the long time it took to get a tenant.

But the homes themselves could be old, so when you buy a home, look for updated ones.

Now, my situation has changed (divorced now, and the kids are a little older) and I am looking to revisit real estate investing in the buy and hold realm.

Any recommendations for lenders who can offer 90% LTV for buying secondary/vacation home?

I was wondering if buying a long term rental property with tenants already in place in a market that is up 20% yoy is a good investement or not. the rough numbers ive been running seem to have a decent cap rate but the house is about 15k more than the zipcode average. 

If all else fails, as the new owner, you can do an eviction on them once you buy it.