And, in your price range, for >$1M, you can get massive bang for your buck compared to SoFL. 

I’ve looked all over the US in cities like Milwaukee, Houston, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Portland.

You don't want to want to get shot, stabbed or conked on the head for a few bucks. 

I'm not looking to get a place for $0.50 on the buck, but a jump on a place to maybe fix up and rent a few years from now would be great.

Although, I am looking at long distance real estate for a bigger, "bang for buck".

Tell them you'll give them three hundred bucks to move.

We went back and forth and he said he would take it to court (he was a lawyer) and I finally decided it was not the hassle (probably cost me more money and time to go to court) and coughed up a few hundred bucks to replace the carpet in the bedroom myself.How can i avoid this next time? 

You can get a lot more bang for the buck in Fort Myers and Cape Coral when compared to Naples. 

I am not saying that getting a deal with next to nothing out of pocket is impossible, but that does not mean you should buy a deal with a couple hundred bucks in your bank account.Now, let's talk a bit about hard and private money.

With your budget try looking here in SFV - Woodland Hills, West Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, A lot of new development going on in -North Hollywood/Studio City/Toluca Lake Areas  You could also leave the SFV with your budget and get a "better bang for your buck" - By trying South LA, Palmdale, LancasterI've seen investors play in all of these markets and make money - all depends on your strategy (what type of returns you're looking to make and if you are trying to hold/sell) Also, huge factor is your basis or how much you are buying the property at.