If you are buying properties in the $100k range, do you buy the property cash, or put down a payment and pick up a mortgage? 

Or, for real estate investing would it be smartest to pick a place and stay put?

I come from a working-poor,  paycheck to paycheck background and have to constantly remind myself that one must spend money to make money--but this seems like SO MUCH money! 

Might pick a city where rents are higher and build costs are similar.

I would pick a handful of this investors properties with the newest roof, hvac, water heater and then have the investor refinance 40% of the home's current value to a bank lendor. 

There goes at least one tenant and the other 2 might not be able to pick up the slack.

We wound up picking up a 3 plex living in one unit.

But It's possible to learn about an area by investing there or to pick an area learn about it and then invest there.

You could have picked this $185k property up for $130k-$148k.6) There is a reason that YOU got this property, and it isn't because you know where to shop.7) Being new, you should have presented all of this information above to the BP community and let them pick it apart BEFORE you were in it for $11,000+8) Lastly, have you talked to an attorney yet?

You've got to pick the right OOS market.