Hi everyone! New member here from the DMV. I grew up in the area (Maryland) and attended school in state before moving up to NYC and then SF for work in professional services (consulting, strategy) and technology. Sadly, living in Manhattan and California all my early working years and through my 20's (ridiculous rents and millennial lifestyle...) has left me with little opportunity to save, let alone save anything remotely close enough to a downpayment in areas where studios and 1 bdrms start at well over half a million dollars...

This being said, I'm very interested in learning as much as I can about real estate (especially on the smaller scale - such as SFH and perhaps duplexes...). Though I have very limited capital, and am very cognizant of where we may be in the interest rate cycle and economic cycle..(was an ambitious college sophomore studying finance in '09 when all hell broke loose) and am wary of trapped capital, I recognize the merits of having exposure to a less volatile asset class. Plus I like the tangibility of something physical..

I'm interested in learning how to structure deals (optimal legal entities, tax implications, risk mitigation), financing options, and have some familiarity with this on a high level (albeit in a corporate and and global context). I'm hoping to bridge my theoretical and macro-level knowledge with the real colour and nuance that comes from being a hand's on and active investor and owner. 

Specifically, I've been browsing opportunities in Fort Washington, MD (in PG county near MGM and national harbor) and Baltimore, MD (brooklyn). The former for its proximity to DC, and VA and highways and the latter because an MBA classmate told me to look there... (know very little about bmore other than about its potential 'affordability'). Ideally, interested in small rental properties around $150k (2 bedroom apartment?) or so (does that even exist anymore) and potentially, SFH between $3-400k (3 bedroom SFH around 2k sqft?).

What would be most helpful for me would be to get into the numbers...and to hear what kind of returns (on equity...but maybe also ROA) would be considered 'decent', 'mediocre', or 'great' at this type of scale.. What to look for and what to stay away from... [I've been inspired by an old friend of mine whose now accumulated 3 units, starting with a place he got a few years back for $120k in Jersey City that now rents for over $1200/mo.. and has appreciated 50%+]

Longer term, I want to build a network of local people with varied skills and to employ some of my underemployed friends in a variety of value generative ways. Perhaps not only for their labor or skills but also as a co-investor and manager... Anyways, what's up! Happy to join and to learn =D