I am currently talking with a Realtor and have visited a few properties, although through my analysis there aren't many deals on the MLS that will cash-flow or even break even with FHA financing (at least at this time of year).I hope to make it out for the Chicago Meetup this Tuesday and start networking with locals and learn more about the community. 

If you want to buy and hold, and you aren't finding satisfactory properties in your price range that will produce sufficient cash flow, go East and perhaps a bit North too.

I tend to buy more in Puyallup than Tacoma, but the numbers aren't as good.Brady

We need wholesalers for Harford County (talking the partner into further areas), partners that don't mind a novice, and lenders that aren't mob.

LOTS of "Hard Money" lenders that aren't true collateral lenders, though (meaning the asset, not the borrower, is what qualifies the loan).

@Gino BarbaroThat's the plan, add some value for the tenants and raise up to market.So RUBS is basically splitting up the utilities (if they aren't sub-metered) proportionally by bedroom, sq ft, etc?

@Hernan Guelman, Other options would be investing in markets that aren't as hot.

You aren't here to make business, only to study.

They aren't identical, but there is enough similarities to get a gauge.  

they aren't expensive and provide a place for somebody like myself to have a fax machine that is a crucial part of investing out of state.