Starting Out in the Carolinas

[Jim Roberts]

I just found this forum and registered here last week, but have been thinking about investing in real estate for a several years. The problem is I have never done anything about it. But I think now is the time for me.

I'm am interested in buy-and-hold rentals; either single family residential houses or small multi-family units (duplexes or quads). I am trying to find a good deal on my first property but everything I look at looks to be priced too high to make sense. I am looking for something that really gives a reasonably good cash-on-cash return yet is not too time consuming.

I live and work in the Florence, SC, area and have been thinking of investing in this area or in the Gastonia, NC, area since I have family ties that that area. Any pointers/tips/etc, specifically as relevant to those areas would be great!