Hi guys,I've been a bit absent from BP for the last few months as I'm one step away from being a licensed agent in CA. That one step being them finally allocating me my number after passing the test back at the beginn...

You just need to get it to the experts. 

I look forward to talking to all of you experts here on Bigger Pockets! 

I'm not an expert in real estate but I do have 4 years under my belt running a business with a family member.

But a new market is a new world and you need to mitigate risk by pulsing experts, agents, investors, business owners, renters in an area to vet your analysis as much as possible, and use online resources to check crime rates, school system strength, foreclosure  frequency etc.  

@Ali Al-Mashat I'm not an expert but if I were you, I would get on the plane and go see those properties myself.  

We assumed that forming an LLC would be the first step, but thought it wise to confirm with you experts.

It comes down to the comfort level of the investor and what you understand.There are some financial planners who say diversify into a bunch of things you are not an expert in.

I am no expert by any means!

I have a plan for investing and I have done much reading on LLC and taxes but I feel a good expert will be worth its weight in gold if they can help me get set up the right way in the beginning.