In the West, it’s actually up almost 41% year-over-year (see graph below):There are two main reasons for this increase:More sellers are listing their homes.

I live in Chicago, but I wholesale mainly in Georgia, Texas, and Florida.

The main shift will be accounting for the physical and management aspects of real estate: property condition, tenant relationships, local regulations, etc.Here’s a suggestion to get the ball rolling:Start identifying your buy box—what type of property, in what kind of market, at what price range, and what return metrics you're targeting.Explore turnkey and value-add rentals, especially in landlord-friendly markets in the Midwest or Southeast (if you're open to investing out of state).Leverage your network—you may already have contacts in finance or real estate who can connect you with off-market deals, brokers, or investor-friendly lenders.Once you’re ready to run numbers or evaluate a specific market, happy to walk through the process with you.

(They tried to tell me now I’d have to replace the 3/4” main water line to 1” if I wanted to add another bathroom). 

Quote from @JP Garrity: For those who started real estate investing and/or became a part time agent- what was it that finally clicked in your mind to quit your main job and pursue real estate full time? 

Now we're seeing investors pouring money into buying Class C rentals - but, many are getting burned.In our experience & opinion, the main determinant of property Class is not location or even property condition, those are #2 and #3.

The main issue is time, not money.

Now if things go well my main concern is, based on my current situation is it safe to start and invest morethan 80% of my savings?

Based on your career, the location, how long you'll be there, your risk tolerance, not knowing exactly how much you could invest, and you saying you still have a lot to learn, I wouldn't buy property there.The price, natural disasters, and the renter friendly laws could be enough to want to stay away, but mainly I'm thinking in 3 years if you move to the middle of nowhere do you want a bunch of rentals in LA?

I’ve lived in my property for three years now and am considering renting out one of the rooms.My main question is whether it makes more sense to convert to a conventional loan or stay with my FHA loan.