Are you bringing outside investors, joint venturing, or going solo? 

For your sanity, I would say to focus outside of flood zones if at all possible. 

Just make sure you'll have cash needed outside to supplement your down payment so you don't lose opportunity to do the next exchange because of a cash crunch.

Look at everything that has sold, look at stuff on the market, start making your own comparisons, basically you want to know almost instantly if its a good deal or not (Of course the inspection will give you a better understanding) But from the outside, for the offer, you need to act quick, especially in this market for small multifamily.

My main interest is buy-and-hold rentals in markets outside of LA (it’s way too expensive in LA and I need to get started in a place that’s not so pricey), and possibly house-flipping.I’m originally from the state of Washington, I grew up in the Puget Sound region in Tacoma and went to school at the University of Washington in Seattle.

An outside area to use will make it seem bigger and more attractive.

Hi all,I'm a total newb to using outside money and was hoping I could get some advice from people who have gone down this road before.I have done 2 deals so far, both duplexes with conventional loans and I'm looking to amp it up a bit.

South Carolina is really good as well specially if you go to small towns outside of big cities. 

Yes I have a normal W2 job outside of real estate.

I have been mostly looking about an hour outside of Nashville.