I'm also a first-time investor.After spending a few years saving and studying, I determined that investment properties were my best option for financial freedom.

I’m not sure how you look at things but many times what you spend is what you’ll get. 

Buy lists of owners of properties of the type you might be looking for - multi-family 2 to 4 units, or who would be motivated single family owners:  send direct mail - lots of it.I do a lot of #1 and #3. . . if you have a brand new marketing machine, you need to spend more money on #2, if your machine is 15 years old like mine and your website already ranks, and you want to target your leads to specific properties and areas rather than a blanket ad across the metro, then I spend more money on direct mail and retargeting. 

If you are ok with spending the majority of your money on a down payment for a property now with the possibility in 10 years it will appreciate to make you some money then it’s ok.  

I work as a Physician Assistant in the Bay Area, but am really looking to start investing in real estate and building my passive income. 

Greetings all,So my question is if there any resources you would recommend for someone who is interested in assisting homeowners recapture the excess funds from a sheriff sale when bidders pay far more than what's owed.I notice this in certain areas and wanted to know if there was a standard approach to get the previous homeowner their funds from the state for a portion of the funds you can reclaim for them.

Most tenants are fairly good but when you get a bad one in Ontario they can very easily bankrupt any landlord with the full support and assistance of our government.If you have a choice I would advise not investing at all over selecting Ontario.

Let me know if you'd like any assistance. 

Most people here on the forum will disagree with me but the time you will spend vetting Turn Key companies could be spent learning the business to become a better investor. 

On this, I advise that you be careful in your spending.