I have a new job that gives me a pension and annuity plan so I feel very comfortable using this money to buy homes

You will quickly know the areas you are comfortable in and the ones you would personally avoid.

@Andrew Fava it really comes down to what youre comfortable doing.

I'm a new investor and didn't feel comfortable with any property managers so I'm managing myself.

I would advise looking at how rentals performed in the last downturn and not buying unless you're comfortable with how things performed in the past when there was a hit.

While you are learning the business, identify your criteria for investments that you are comfortable with.

We needed a place to sleep immediately that would not be a health hazard for our unborn child and ourselves, so we signed a lease for our current apartment of 456 Alternative Street.

Do you like the comfort of knowing you locked in the gains cashed out and live in TX?  

I would clarify your neighbourhoods first and write down why you are choosing those neighbourhoods - good transportation links, high pre child rearing age population, close to hospital etc.

I'm very interested in real estate investing, but I want to get some feedback from the community, as I'm not entirely sure that it's for me.I'm unmarried with no kids, so I've always required very little in order to be have privacy and be comfortable.