The bad: i have not yet experienced a downside, just incidental stuff that happened mostly due to the neighborhood where the rental is located.

It's not that @Dawn Anastasi isn't right, because she is... but in our market, that would also get you started on a 2/1 SFH in an ok blue collar neighborhood that would turn about $600/$650 rent.

Also, for my first market I’d like to be able to visit it (investigate neighborhoods/properties, interview PMs, agents, etc) without incurring a huge cost.

Doing it as a owner-builder gave plenty of practical experience in managing a non-trivial construction process.Last year, we acquired one more condo in the neighborhood and have been gaining experience with land-lording as well.My background is in Computer Science and have been working full time as Software Engineer for about 20 years.I am interested in networking with fellow investors/tradesmen, especially who are active in our area (Culver City/West Los Angeles).Thanks and wish you all a very happy new year.Coty

People will tell you it doesn't effect your credit score if you are shopping lenders for one RE transaction, but it will have a negative effect if you do it that way.

However, it's in quiet residential neighborhood.

Having more options is a good thingHe and his partner has since set up shop in OH and have found the margins to be better and risk reduced and ability to turnover more houses a year Lots of additional contact in AZ included trusted Mortgage Broker, and Auction contact that we are in contact with as needed Main problem as mentioned in finding enough cash to invest in the Bay area Also I feel in the Bay Area you have to bank on appreciation rather than finding something that has a good cash flow of can be flipped for a profit.

I told her it was nice art and probably she could get some money for it at a pawn shop.

If you are working with an insurance broker, they can shop around and see if they can locate a policy for you.

There are better deals but in worse neighborhoods.