Has anyone had success achieving the 1% rule with MLS properties in these areas?

My wife and I are exploring real estate as an income source to help us pay off our student loan debt and achieve the lifestyle we want.

And set reasonable and achievable goals based on your growth plan.

This will allow you more leverage to continue buying more properties since you will be cashflowing more money this will take you at least 2-3 years to achieve it's not going to happen over night so be patience invest wisely and make sure you continue to put the money you pull out of your properties when you refinance them back into your business.

More often, it’s achieved by those who labor long and hard.

My ultimate goal in real estate is to achieve financial freedom and I came across BiggerPockets in my search for real estate information/knowledge.I'm really looking forward to learning more in the coming months from this community and hoping to make some new friends!

Whether or not its better to buy a 4 plex depends on your goals concerning this proposed equity.If you want to retain future appreciation from the Irvine market like was mentioned above you may retain this condo unit while cashing out the 75% of 460 (max per guidelines conventional) = $345,000 to  redeploy else where in hopes of achieving your objectives.Keep in mind that $345,000 @4.625% 30 year fixed is approx 1773.78 per month in addition to your current HOA/TAX/HO6 condo policy so you may find yourself in a negative cash flow position depending on how much you plan to take out.

You have achieved something that many of us are striving for.  

I have been reading mixed reviews so I'm a little confused but I do want to build a rental portfolio and figured this be one of several ways to achieve that.

. #2 Make sure you will be able to achieve the rents you are expecting.