BTW the house is an early 80s build 3/2/2 in a pretty dense neighborhood, not a lonely rickety 120 year old house in the deep woods, just in case anyone was wondering.

The old-timers here on BP are not kidding when they say that a monkey could have made money investing in real estate at the right time in the wake of the 2008 housing meltdown.When I finally realized that my friend had given us a phenomenally good deal in his time of need was when the neighborhood started to rise in value.

I live in and invest primarily in Pittsburgh, PA and while a few neighborhoods have appreciated quite a bit in the last few years, housing continues to be be very affordable.

He is no longer working and is on disability but they want him to live in this neighborhood because they have two other family members that live in the immediate area.

It is valued at about $550,000 based off of neighborhood comps and she still owes $384,000 on the home.

My husband and I closed on our first SFH in a B+ neighborhood at the end of June. 

If you can become an expert on an area by talking to everyone you can in the neighborhoods, you will not only narrow down your criteria, learn what problems to look out for in these neighborhoods, and learn what kind of tenant you will be dealing with, but you may also come across off market deals that you can be the first one to. 

I started in real estate investing about 5 years ago when I bought a BRRR row house in quiet Richmond neighborhood.

Fits a toilet, single vanity sink, tub/shower, with standing room.

We aren't a great fit for all properties but for some.