As I’m sure you know my biggest concern in this area is funding my first purchase.

Even if you get lending, your biggest issue would be finding suitable tenants and selling.

When we were looking 2 years ago, buying was an option, but the market is too hot right now for us to afford.It's a challenge locating a promising place while not local to the property, and that's why I'm turning to a trusted resource - BiggerPockets!

I think your market is the biggest factor in this. 

The water service lines need to be inspected as well and if they are galvanized that would be a deal breaker for me (unless the price is real sweet) I mean this is probably one of your biggest investments if not the biggest.

The fixer-upper duplex that I bought has presented many more challenges in learning how to properly fix up and maintain a building but the property is on track to perform very well (around 14% cash on cash).

This is all fine and dandy on projects around my personal home but would make evaluating a flip more challenging. 

It was newbie lack of experience on my part, and also the agent had no interest in advising me much, only to tell me which areas he wanted me to buy in, the areas that would be the least management headache for him and make the biggest 10% commission.

Taxes and escrows are the biggest part.

These factors are the biggest drivers in your overall success.