Newbie from SoCal

[Steve B.]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your contributions to the site. I've already learned a lot from the podcasts, forums, and articles. I became an accidental landlord in 2010 and most of my learning came from YouTube, free Home Depot clinics, and a lot of trial and error. I loved the process of putting in work towards a tangible asset. I've now rented my condo in Colorado for 6+ years and counting and in hindsight probably got lucky with my tenants and property manager. Since then, I've gotten married and had two kids. I work a demanding full time job (often 60-80 hour weeks) with a growing family and want to finally add additional buy and hold properties to our portfolio with the goal of ultimately reducing the hours needed in the office and having flexibility to spend more time with the family. I can reduce my work schedule (and pay accordingly) if I want so would love to start shifting my energy and time towards REI. As a SoCal resident the market is pretty tough so I'm thinking that out of state will be the best bet. The condo has ~80-100K of equity so hope to build the knowledge to put it to use. I look forward to getting educated and finally pulling the trigger on property #2! Steve

[David Faulkner]

If you don't already own your primary residence in Glendale, I'd start there. If you do, I'd look into turning it into a rental and purchasing another, or staying there and purchasing another locally as a rental. You are already in a great investment market, no need to look out of state.