This is where the bulk of RE knowledge is, deeds, title, ownership rights, encumbrances, encroachments, liens, economic aspects, what RE is and what makes it valuable, valuation methods, legal contracts, disclosures, surveying, laws of agency, this stuff hasn't changed and is the basic foundation of all strategies used by operators and investors.Learn real estate first, then how to deal in real estate. :)Brian, I'll have a surprise for you soon enough, LOL.As will happen starting out, new investors have set backs, friends don't pony up as thought, a seller gets wishy washy and backs out, even with some seed money help to kick off with, finding the right deal can take time.  

Here are some things that I found out too that might help you with the decision:- unless self-managed, management companies aren't cheap- not sure about oregon, but some vacation rentals need to pay transient occupancy tax (there is probably a certain threshold of days rented)That being said, I have also spoken to other investors who are quite bullish on the economics of vacation rentals. 

I would like to know how the more experienced members feel about cities which have chained very little in the past 20 years. If you would like a specific context, The Dalles Oregon.That’s the town I grew up in and am ...

Down payment amountFuture economic factorsMaintenance costsAnd that concept call Opportunity CostI ran across this Post in the New York Times today and I’ve spent two hours analyzing it.

Sometimes its economics and other times its physical or a combination of both.

Owner occupancy requirements are one year.With all notes, the occupancy requirement is waived when unforeseen events occur such as death, divorce, economic changes or things beyond the control of a borrower that cause a hardship.

Some economic like inflation : if everyones insurance and utilities go up 30%, it is only a matter of time until it hits rents. 

General Business:In any business, price is driven by economic factors of value, RE is no different.

I don't know if they bring in paid, sell your crap at the back of the room and Saturday paid session B.S. speakers, but it was a real pleasure to get to attend a REIA where the attendees were mostly active investors, they looked to genuinely like being there and the content shared by the three different groups that night was heavy on content and light on fluff.Kathleen Kramer did an excellent job going over economic data.  

I have been investing a bit in the USA as the economics in many US markets make so much more sense in terms of investing than they do here at home.