Properties larger than 100 units tend to have more sophisticated owners...and many of them are deeply entrenched in their markets and know every broker in town.  

He works with a lot of foreclosure investors and is VERY knowledgeable about spotting those unusual deals that are overlooked by less sophisticated buyers.  

Not sure about a pitch from energy sales to RE, I don't think I'd mix the two, perception may fall off the professional side and I wouldn't want some bait and switch type thing.....LOL, like wanna sell your house?

Of course, among the people who do not respond to your offer, you may inadvertibently poison your list for later based on perception of your obviously opportunistic timing.

Account Closed  I won't answer for Brian.. however I will say the bigger players on the west coast all have sophisticated software that is something to behold.Also pop on Foreclosure Radars website.. its only in CA Or and maybe a few other states the owner is on BP.. its awesome for a subscription service.

But I will say that I have always liked books that altered my perception or reference point.  

You have the passion and commitment of a person being called to the priesthood from what I'm gleaning.The only advice I can offer up about continuing your formal education is that the college experience is a time for grooming, maturing and becoming a more sophisticated and informed contributor to society.

In one sense you can say it is always a buyers market, if you know what you are looking for and have a sophisticated or logical approach to investing you can always find something.

That perception is difficult to break.I only buy in good locations now. 

And people down here are much more sophisticated, and they know they have more options.