Find experienced local help from a Realtor who has dealt with new single properties in that area.You are talking about a lot of work and expenses building something from the ground up.I would find a partner who has successfully built their own properties before to help you.

All of those markets are a little more expensive than others, but you aren't really going to find a triplex anywhere that you can use only $20k to buy.

If I self-source a deal, I contact the listing agent directly to learn as much as I can about the property, activity on the listing, any pending offers expected, DOM, expenses, and seller motivations if possible.

$200-$300 cash flow is a good number after all expenses but I would find a way to increase your COC return. 8% is pretty low but if you can find a way to have less of your cash into the property, your COC will be higher and you'd have more to invest in other properties.

That $200 would help with that expense.

No properties inside it yet, but currently using it as a flow-through for rents, banking, and expenses for my 4 units.

The first property while more expensive the area might be better and the dirt later on if needing to re-tenant will generally be more valuable.

It definitely requires a long term perspective and able to supplement the cap expenses in the short term.Most of my rentals are in working class areas (Class C with some that may be B-) and small multiplex (duplex to quad). 

foundation work can be expensive, but when repaired properly and defects are corrected I would, sign any limited lifetime warranty, but I refuse to market that way personally....I would rather explain this to my customers why they do that instead of just being honest and say it's marketing and then break it down

Fremont/union city too expensive to have positive cash flow (willing to do 25-30% down).