Biggest issue is high cost property in my area that’s preventing me from getting started.

Not to knock schooling, I have an advanced degree myself, but I recognize that no one would work for me that I would want running my show.There is a lot showing in your frustration, I feel for you, but it's a challenging time in the industry and without experience and the advantage of having been through a few down cycles, you may just need to read about the down side of real estate to get to the next level.

I think you are in the right place at the right time.Plenty of opportunity in the DFW and North Texas area.Some of the world's biggest real estate titans got their start or real estate jump right here in North Texas.People like Trammell Crow, Ross Perot, Jr, Jerry Jones, Lucy Billingsly, Craig Hall, the Wilks Brothers, and plenty others.

I guess I look at it different than you, one of my  biggest fears is something happening to either one of them and having to replace  the quality partners in my operation that they have become.

@Mei ZhuThe biggest thing I didn't see on here is to cover your windows so people can't look inside and see it's sitting vacant.

The downside with University Heights is the taxes are generally pretty high and their Point of Sale process can be a little brutal, just depends on the property. 

My *biggest* concern is the $795 'commitment fee'.  

Their leads are Absoloutely horrible I received 90% of the letters back from mailers the script is horrible and after they get your money , their excellent mentors or cpaches disapper they are the biggest scammers out there.

I would also say that markets like Manhattan are not super representative of most markets in the US - a lot of foreign investment I'd imagine in NYC, Miami etc - I'd guess a lot of these cash purchases are more about exchanging unstable or risky foreign assets/currencies for perceived stability/safety of US top metro residential real estateI think in a lot of other markets where this isn't relevant - I think most are cash offers being "king" as not having appraisal or other contingencies that might sabotage the sale after 30 days or so and make people re-list (sellers will take less to avoid this risk and downside)

The only downside to my condo is that it is situated on the backside of the condominium it occupies and does not have an ocean view, however being aware of that I have dropped the price on significantly on the property.