I wanted to also challenge myself so I also ended up installing a niche on the back wall so the tenants could place their shampoo bottles inside.

I would add that the strategy of bidding lower than total debt has been successfully challenged in many districts if the servicer goes after the borrower for a deficiency later.

Fear is the biggest thing that holds people back from investing in real estate.

I would really like to get a jump-start on my portfolio in Phoenix before I move there, and the timing seems right in both markets; however, my biggest concern is getting into a property that eventually needs my personal attention on-site, for whatever reason, and ends up being a bad deal.  

The biggest detriment on building wealth is paying taxes.

Matt Jones - Agreed, my BIGGEST fear is needing someone to hold my hand and lead me to my first deal.

Fair warning though, the tenant base can be tough and the price point comes with its challenges. 

The Houston economy is one of the biggest and fastest growing in the Nation/World so it is a great place to invest if you take the proper precautions.Here is one: http://www.harriscountyfemt.org/This is an interactive flood zone map.

I would be very hesitant purchasing in a rural area especially being Out of State unless you know the market very well..Living in an expensive market I’m in a similar situation like you and invest in the 2 biggest cities in NC.

She suddenly remembered wires that she had forgotten for her TV (she had 2x 5" holes cut out of the feature wall to hide her cables, without asking) so it was easier to have her reputable painter guy pop in and cover up the holes and remove her last items without me having to see her again.My fault for not just getting it done myself I suppose but she is the sort of tenant that uses Court Action in seemingly every sentence and was seen taking pictures of everything when she left and even took a picture of her notice taped to my front door so I was trying to minimize any court action by at least keeping her in the loop of all the damage so I could get her replies by text to use if she decided to challenge my return deposit amount.She did admit to the burns in the carpet (stupidly putting hot coals from the fire in a plastic home depot bucket) and argued that it wasn't cat urine but vomit as her cat had cancer (but obviously didn't think to clean them or have them professionally cleaned).