Real Estate is an investment. There is risk.
Do your homework, but don't think that analyzing will be a substitue for doing
Borrow experience from realtor/mentors
You need between 0% and 25% downpayment
You need $5-8k of reserves
You will need $2-4k of closing costs
Highly recommended; 3 months of personal rainy day money
Tony: Population growth, job growth, good mix of appreciation or cash flow depending on your interests
John: pick a company and see where they are putting stores/offices
Details: who is your tenant? what do they want? where do they want to work?