W2 people, it takes me a fraction of one business day to preapprove them.Self employed people, it often takes me a week or two because I have to sift through all their lies and misrepresentations to the IRS, and there are three or 4 phone calls and requests for additional documentation that I have to send and get back....HONEST self employed people, who are a very small minority, it takes a fraction of one business day, just like the W2 people.

The first is some tips to get you started on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the...the second deals with getting on the right path with investing:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-...The third is to help you sift through the haystack of agents in your area when you get to the point of needing one:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-...Happy Thanksgiving, and best of luck with your investing goals.

Here, you'll be able to sift through potential callers on your own and maybe even try them out for a short time before making a commitment.

It's hard to sift through the "fake it till you make it" crowd.We noticed many experienced players moving to more institutional asset classes or diving into property development.We started developing in 2020.

Some lenders will sift through the returns and add stuff back to your income that’s clearly living expenses or what not.  

Also, note the "Related Discussions" at the bottom of the thread you started here.To answer your question... you need to define your market niche; establish your rental criteria; develop a good ad and info sheets; advertise on line and in other places that work for your area; be ready to field the calls/replies; tenant screen well with questions that will help you quickly sift out the rift-raft from the real contenders; be prepared to do full background checks... for rental history, income stability, credit history, and legal history.Also, if your properties have been sitting vacant for months, there is either a problem with the property or with the price.

But I studied the books and CDs and leaned enough to feel confident I can sift through all the deals out there (and there are a lot)to find a good one, but lack the requisite cash buyer list to make them turn into cash for my savings account. 

When sifting through these deals, or structuring your own... you want to target properties that are in rentable, move-in condition already.

I don't have time to sift through all those that are BSing me to take a chance on the one the will turn out good.

See what you can find at the Treasurer's office listings and sift through them for something good with value.