As long as people are doing it with their eyes wide open then having people preach to them about what is "optimal" is pretty silly to me.  

I myself am keeping an eye in Okanagan area for multi as I think there will be more and more baby boomers moving down that way. 

Ask your friendly title company to create a HUD-1 for youWith the offer attach pictures of all the ugly things about the property; the landscaping, broken windows, bad walk ways, bad fencing, green water in the pool, any nasty pictures of the interior, the estimate amount of renovations neededWrite a cover letter stating what you will do if they accept your offer; secure the property, insure the house, pay all cash, take care immediately of the roof problem, protect and secure the house form squatters, have the electric turned on, notify the water department, notify the local police to keep an eye out for vandals...etc.Since no one at the bank can make a decision as fast as you want, put a drop dead date in your offer.

My wife and I have been keeping an eye on a vacant lot in our neighborhood which is currently behind on its taxes.

Until then it would be best to keep an eye on it to see when it becomes available.

Love to stay in touch with you as things progress for both of us.Mark Mark, you might want to keep an eye on Webster, MA area as well.

I go between San Diego, CA and AZ and the overall cost of land in our southern CA eyes affordable housing are abundant.

I have purchased all my properties off the MLS but have not seen anything that has caught my eye for a long time.  

Just take a closer look at your expected expenses so you go in eye-wide-open.

As a current California Real Estate agent I work with clients to buy and sell properties while at the same time keep an eye out for great deals to invest in.