I wouldn't be so broad with your criteria. if I was looking in Texas it would be Dallas, Houston, Austin. top 3 markets. in florida we do miami, in ohio we do columbus. those are the #1 net migration cities and we focus in the urban core where migrations tend to be for younger population who have the purchasing power to rent or buy. 

Initially my draw to investment real estate was buy and holds to build a legacy for our children (one of our kiddos will need finances covered for him beyond my husband’s and my life.

My original plan was to update and flip it , pay off the heloc and use the profits toward buying my first rental.

But a good piece of land for an STR should be gone, so you would be buying land you think is good, but might not be.

Other family will typically step in and help you out.If you've got the money to buy, just find an older adult in your family, and make the pitch, "Hey, I'm looking to invest in real estate...

Be it in RE or buying some other type of business.

The 5 percent you pay an agent to properly market a nice property will far outgain what you will lose involving someone who will come in and pretend they have the money to buy just to daisy chain it to every Facebook group in the area.

Buying my first rental house and going through the entire process of renting it out was the single most impactful step to propel forward into this journey.

I know BP just came out with their new platform that allows you to buy leads but my area has been sold out.

Investors made a killing buying homes in 2010 when many companies were going under and everyone in real estate panicked.Tip #2 Only listen to investors who are where you want to be.