Where I live it is about 30 days.  30 months is a long time to go without rent....and if 30 months is average, then that means some might be 40 months. 

@Hunter FerrariI live and invest in WV.

I have been looking at factors that affect where I would like to live (weather, politics, taxes, night life, etc.) but I am guessing that these don't necessarily indicate a good financial investment.

My wife and I own a duplex in Missouri and live in NC and are hoping to get another unit out here.

I live in the Northshore area of Massachusetts (North of Boston close to NH).

I have been looking into tax deed real estate particularly in California; I live in Los Angeles.What has been people's experience with dealing with the dwellers/owners/renters of these tax deed properties?

I have been living in Hudson Valley for about 10 years and ready to press the start button for my first house/ duplex/ triplex… to eventually turn it into a fully rental property.

the best beginner options are a house hack or live-in flip - with that said though, i realize that (1) not everyone's life or family situation permits this, and (2) some markets have many more small multifamily properties than others. 

Folks in RE are generally nice helpful, hustling to change their lives for the better. 

I had to run it a few times, but I live in that house now, and smell nothing.