Be patient, save more, buy a smaller place, move somewhere more affordable, get other streams of income, house hack, cut your expenses. 

I got rid of all my rental properties when I moved away from my hometown.

My questions span broad areas and as I continue to do my own research, I'd really appreciate any experienced investors and residents who can chime in:1) For those who have invested in Chicago and DFW, or moved from one to the other, are there any qualitative differences in the way homeowners approach rehabs, structural issues, expenses requiring insurance claims, or any other major overhauls that a newbie must account and budget for?

I'll understand if you choose to move out, although I hope you won't..."

I moved from Florida to start investing in Columbus due to the same reason.

Hi Everyone,I'm currently active duty military about to move to Colorado Springs in the next 3-6 months and I think I'm ready to make my first investment.

Here in Houston most of the 2 to 4 units are around Downtown area and if you want to find anything that stands a chance at cash-flowing after you move out, you pretty much have to look in the east side of Downtown.  

Rent it for a year or two and then move in. 

@Lexie Wang May also want to offer an incentive of say $250 off first months rent if tenant moves in by say April 15th since its almost the 1st.

Recognize that it's unlikely that everything stays conservative in how reality unfolds - chances are, between rent growth, appreciation, and interest rates, something is going to move at an above-average pace.