Hello BP, I keep hearing from books and others that you want to master the city/region where you will be investing.

Obviously, that varies depending on the region you live and invest in.Buy and hold is a 10 to 15 to 30 year outlook. 

Hi there Alex, I'm a real estate agent in Kitchener/Waterloo region, I can help with a search for you towards properties that may interest you , once you go to a mortgage broker to see what you qualify for , i look forward to hearing from you and I'll guide you along the way in this journey.I'm also an investor and this is exciting time for you to get started.

Within those regions, there are many different neighborhoods and within the neighborhoods, things really can change street by street.St.

So you need to get all of the expenses on the property i.e. water, taxes, lawn care/snow removal(depending on the region), insurance, cap ex, vacancy, maintenance, property management etc....

It's still subject to the local authority following up on whatever criteria works in their region and may be outdated.This is a "boots on the ground" or "driving for dollars scenario.

While it looks like you are already doing reasonably well in this area compared to most who live in the region, a move to a place that does not depend so heavily on auto transportation might be merited.

I am currently in the Air Force, but am pursuing a career in Civil Engineering and intend to be transitioning to civilian employment in about a year's time in the North Central PA region.

I've used local, regional and national bank. 

Thera are many other regional and local variables to consider (development costs, regulation, city politics, crime, diversification of jobs types/primarily services and tech, educational institutions, state capitals, cost of housing, path of growth, makeup of neighborhood / owners VS renters, etc..).