I imagine the map and area opinions looking different today and want to get input where you think it has changed.I have done a lot of research and understand the broad concept of Northern and Western areas being the easiest and best to rent, but I am not looking to put an offer in over $175k and inventory seems limited right now.My agent is showing me a few places today mostly in the Birdtown/Cudell area since I would rather get something a little cheaper that needs next to nothing work, compared to something in the same price range needing rehab.

If it's a short term fix and flip, just go with hard money, but if you're only looking for income stream rentals, you obviously want to get a loan with cheaper terms.

A PA attorney would also probably be cheaper anyway.

Thanks for the heads up on Floor Depot.MG's has a handful of cheaper items as well.

Plus the idea of buying cheaper properties (75k-150k) to start leads me to believe there is a little less risk for a first time investor, rather than buying a 500k property.

They're also typically cheaper than similar apartment buildings. 

I'd like to purchase a home out of state and was hoping to find a loophole to get it cheaper.

They buy properties cheaper than my surroundings market and repeat the process all with cash flowing tooIm dying to find a 2 to 3 unit in Philadelphia market that will cash flow after living their for one year so i can start building my portfolio. 

@Natalie Wells go with Fannie mae or Freddy mac since you have the experience they will do up to 80% ltv or ltc whichever is cheaper non recourse typically 4 to 5 percent interest but for them to do out of state you will have to provide them with property management and for your own sake you should have " boots on the ground" in the market you want to invest in

You can get cheaper doors for maybe less than 900 each.