<prompt> Human: I recently graduated from college and started a job in LA. My mom, a real estate broker, suddenly became enthusiastic about opportunities for me to buy a house. She mentioned things like the FHA loans, not requiring down payments, buying a duplex to remodel and then rent out, and seems to think that real estate is a great investment for me right now. I dont have any debts, but I also have very little in savings barely enough for an emergency fund. Definitely not enough for a down payment of any kind. She seems to want me to take advantage of the perks of being a first-time homebuyer to invest in real estate either in LA or various parts of Southern California, either as a rental property or to live in. I.e. I would either live in this place and rent out extra rooms, or just rent out the place and rent a different apartment for myself.I cant get over the feeling that this is a bad idea, and that my mom is just taking advantage of me to make a commission because I dont seem to be getting straight answers out of her. Is this as bad an idea as I think it is?  <response>: The fact that you do not trust your mom means its a bad idea. Period. 