250 K to invest in Real Estate...

[kaboshedx]

Hello,

I have 250 K I want to invest in real estate, I want to make a smart investment that will net me some long run earnings. I would also love to live somewhere warm on or within a 1 hour drive of the ocean. I want to invest in a property that is in a market that is projected to improve in the next 10 years. I am a dual Canadian and US citizen living in Canada now but I would like to live in the warmer parts of the US, maybe California.

Where do I start? I have absolutely no experience with Real Estate and want to learn how to make a smart investment. Help me?

thanks