I live in Maryland but have family in the west central area , so I am comfortable investing .

That margin is too tight for my comfort.

All the other ideas and strategies are just at a bigger scale, the jump from SF to Apartments is more about capital then anything else for most people and comfort level, ironically enough the same reasons people don't get into RE investing to begin with just at a different scale.

You need to find your comfort level but you are looking for an investment, not a project.Good Luck!

I did think it was possible but I’m positive that my tenant is allowing his 10 year old son do the laundry and overload it with comforter blankets and clothes both at the same time :( Plus he does laundry every single day.

They are older and would be dipping below a comfortable liquidity level which is totally understandable.

The midwest has fantastic cap rates for retail (7% cap for an excellent anchored center 9% cap if your buying in a more speculative environment) I hope I answered your question about retail.

So, with the GOE and the capital that I had saved of my own from hustles I've done to controlling my budget and being frugal, I still did not have enough for a down payment I felt was adequate to give me a mortgage I was comfortable with monthly.

I know people start without getting their license first but I feel much more comfortable taking this route.

I feel more comfortable with the Dallas market as cash flow is better and solid appreciation with stable diversified market.