I want to find a fixer upper for ~$250- $300k and have an "All in Budget" of about $450k.

It's definitely more difficult to manage a renovation or rental from a long distance, but it's easier than managing an expensive property that might sink you because it's way outside of your budget and/or comfort zone.  

You probably know these points, but I can tell you that it's a good idea to budget more for repairs and maintenance than with other sectors because, yes, they will party.

Also, just so you know, a new investor with a low budget who hasn't provided any detail as to their ability to get financing is not the typical client of top investor agents.

The HOA should be able to send you their Bylaws and Guidelines for the community, as well as their current Budget.

That being said, I budget about 14% for Cap Exp and it has served me well for that specific house.

A few questions:1) What is the expect property purchase price and then the amount of the rehab budget on top?

I have a total budget of around $3,500. 

All payments are via ACH.You set a budget.

We were basing the better deal assumption on articles of where the best places to invest in rental properties are, and the only CA locations recommended are either out of our budget or so far away that they might as well be out of state.