I live in southern California where I still cannot afford much and was looking into out of state properties as I know I can buy multiple at once.I was wondering what you guys thought about this for a guy like me because I'm new to the whole business.

Some neighborhoods you can get up to $5,400 a month for 4 bedroom SFH's in somewhat affordable parts of the city like inland Carlsbad, Mission Valley, and Tierrasanta.Do you think Section 8 is worth the extra effort in terms of government red tape and delayed inspections versus house hacking a SFH and renting out each bedroom instead?

With RE investing you have multiple facets of gains (cash flow, depreciation/expenses (reduces tax bills), as well as long term appreciation. 

Anyone who can afford $1500/month rent can easily afford a $150-180k home.What are your taxes and insurance?

HUD will run a market and affordability test that must pass for approval.I recommend starting small if you like your tenants. 

I would have done it years ago if the affordable options were available back then.

A realtor doesn't want to spend time looking up $400K places if you can only afford a $200K house. 

However, that being said I really can't afford a 408k loan, as the Philly rental market really doesn't support high enough rents to cover a mortgage such a property. 

While we can afford it, it would definitely compromise being able to act on a true investment opportunity that may develop.

Bernie Sanders wants a 25% “house flipping” tax levied against investors who sell a property at a profit within five years of purchase.He also wants a 2 percent “empty homes tax” on the property value of vacant homes in order to discourage real estate investment.From Bernie's Website"When Bernie is president, he will:Create an office within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate and work with states and municipalities to strengthen rent control and tenant protections, implement fair and inclusive zoning ordinances, streamline review processes and direct funding where these changes are made.This office will convene key leaders, academics, experts, local officials, renters, tenants, and homeowners to create and implement these necessary solutions.Preempt laws that prevent inclusionary zoning for luxury developments.End exclusionary and restrictive zoning ordinances and replace them with zoning that encourages racial, economic, and disability integration that makes housing more affordable.Require that recipients of federal funding from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development make these important zoning reforms.Provide funding to states that preempt local exclusionary zoning ordinances to make housing more equitable, accessible and affordable for all.Make federal funding contingent on creating livable communities.Encourage zoning and development that promotes integration and access to public transportation to reduce commuting time, congestion and long car commutes.Prioritize projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create walkable and livable communities, and reduce urban sprawl.Encourage zoning and development designed to expand and maximize the number of units fully accessible to people with disabilities.Place a 25 percent House Flipping tax on speculators who sell a non-owner-occupied property, if sold for more than it was purchased within 5 years of purchase.Impose a 2 percent Empty Homes tax on the property value of vacant, owned homes to bring more units into the market and curb the use of housing as speculative investment.Encourage “circuit breakers” on property taxes to protect homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods from being priced out of their own homes as their property values rise.READ MORE: https://berniesanders.com/issues/housing-all/From my point of view, anything that impedes or obstructs REI's cash flow is a bad thing.