I've been investing in the stock market for 30+ years, but am at the point where I'm ready to diversify more into real estate.I've been lurking on the forums here for quite some time and I am amazed at the value of the posts and level of knowledge that exists here.

It wouldn't hurt to do what some people do and have a home inspector go through the property every couple years.. 

I am most interested in rehabs at the moment, but interested in learning about all areas. 

They are the same.

Anyway they talked me into buying their services costing $2,700 for the next year.

We are new to the real estate industry but we are building a family owned business to earn an honest living while being able to provide and instill good ethics and morals into our children.

But there is hope... if you drive through the 4th ward area, you can clearly tell which properties are owned (single family homes with kept lawns and neatly decorated) and which properties are rentals (usually a broken window or two, falling apart porches, messy yards)... the closer to the single family-dense parts in the 4th ward, the better chance you have of getting a rental property that hasn't been laid to waste that you can purchase for a fairly cheap price. 

I've been invested in the Memphis area for 8 years now and love the area. 

You are looking to create the biggest spread possible so shopping around for the best rate and terms should be a priority.

I live in the SF Bay Area and have decided to buy my first single-family home.I fully acknowledge and recognize that the SF Bay Area and California (in general) may have some of the worst cash flow numbers in the entire country.I've already traveled to cheaper Midwestern states to look at real estate opportunities, but have decided to invest here in the SF Bay Area as I'm purchasing with the intention of living in it first and foremost, and then renting it out sometime in the near future when I move overseas.I'm looking for anywhere in the Greater Bay Area/Northern California region (even Sacramento & Central Valley is okay) with better than average purchase price to rent ratio, and some appreciation (if possible).