Honestly, the real estate books that I've read gave me the runaround, instead of concentrated on the actual art of real estate investing.

David- I sold all the homes in Richland Hills, Bedford etc to concentrate in other areas of TX.

Are there, sure, but you may be better served concentrating on some fruit that is a touch lower hanging that that.

Some areas have a better concentration of great houses and others are not so much.  

@Ryan McElroy I would concentrate on getting your first bought.

The key is getting one that is strong enough to produce a high concentration of ozone.  

Infrared photos of a typical heated room show highest concentration of warmest air delivered by forced air is in the upper third of the air column.

In the area I want to concentrate on, I have found several dilapidated homes that would be prime for a flip.

Be totally honest, highlight your positive attributes, study their areas of specialization so you only concentrate on lenders whose specific criteria you meet.Also, beware of the difference between DIRECT lenders, and brokers disguising themselves as direct lenders.

The risks really are with banks getting into internal problems, not closing so much (but they do) but changing loan requirements, having different capital requirements, having concentrations in loans or too much with one borrower.