I recently picked up two books which are Brandon Turners rental property investing and little or no money down book, both have been great so far but i know this is just the beginning on my great real estate journey and i will need to obtain more knowledge. i have a question that i want to get off my chest and i have been itching to ask, for all my experienced investors and not so experienced investors if you where my age or if you are my age, the information that you know now and situations you have experienced what would YOU do if you where in my shoes to start off?

@Jesse HarrisTypically in my mind you need to pick a goal, achieve that goal with X amount of properties or doors or cash flow and then deleverage.In your case if you have the ability to just buy in cash do that going forward.

Pick a solid B-Class suburban area.

I feel like the forums in general are not being utilized properly.

I utilize Cornell Law School's public database.https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/4975The language is as follows, with the specific word "between" used: (my emphasis below).

(This includes mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA fees, etc. that occur during the Rehab Phase and up until the property is fully rented)= $310,000 (not including Closing and Holding Costs) Maximum Allowable OfferYour Purchase price of $250,000 is below this amount. 

Tenants pay all utilities.

This also means you will have to pay a higher rate and or cost/points due to it now being an investment property instead of just refinancing this property as a primary residence prior to leaving.This is a mortgage planning tip if you plan to bob and weave in and out of the mortgage lending products ethically while utilizing them to maximum efficiency.

Pick a solid B-Class suburban area.

The catch is that I will need to live in whatever property I pick because I am getting a 3.5% FHA loan.