The herds typically never get ahead because they are stuck in the trap of making minimum money and the system is structured just enough to wipe out the middle class and poor  with daily, weekly, monthly expenses but keep them going just one more day to siphon money off of them again.

As a real estate investors, you need to have a different mind set than that of the herd.  

ya I think herd mentality in that industry will canabalize it in certain areas no doubt. but you have those that will do it more or less as a job they chose to do.. 

N=5yc1vZc57d -220 1 1 -220 Downstairs Inside shower tile http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/slate-tile/ms-international-gauged-slate-floor-or-wall-tile-12x12/p-126268-c-12518.htm -35.51 10 1 -355.1 Downstairs Kitchen Floor (walnut) http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/porcelain-tile/ragno-taiga-glazed-porcelain-floor-or-wall-tile-6x24/p-2181930.htm -3.5 1 600 -2100 Tile Labor -4.25 1 500 -2125 Upstairs Kitchen Floor (walnut) http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/porcelain-tile/ragno-taiga-glazed-porcelain-floor-or-wall-tile-6x24/p-2181930.htm -3.5 1 600 -2100 Downstairs bathroom Floor (black) http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/porcelain-tile/ragno-taiga-glazed-porcelain-floor-or-wall-tile-6x24/p-2181929.htm -3 1 50 -150 Nest Smoke + CO Detector https://store.nest.com/product/smoke-co-alarm/ -99 2 1 -198 Nest Thermostat https://store.nest.com/product/thermostat/ -249 1 1 -249 Fire insulation for kitchen http://www.homedepot.com/p/UltraTouch-48-in-x-24-ft-Radiant-Barrier-30000-11424/100661257 -60 4 1 -240 Fans http://www.menards.com/main/lighting-fans/indoor-lights/recessed-lights/photon-1-light-3-25-in-white-halogen-pot-light/p-1942351-c-7246.htm -125 5 1 -625 Upstairs Kitchen Countertop http://www.menards.com/main/store//20090519001/assets/images6/countertops/CorinthianKitchen2014.pdf -35 1 55 -1925 Downstairs Kitchen Countertop http://www.menards.com/main/store//20090519001/assets/images6/countertops/CorinthianKitchen2014.pdf -35 1 40 -1400 Downstairs Kitchen Backsplash http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/mosaic-tile/mohawk-phase-mosaics-stone-and-glass-wall-tile-5-8-random/p-2191879-c-12510.htm -9.77 1 32 -312.64 Upstairs Kitchen Backsplash http://www.menards.com/main/flooring/tile-stone/slate-tile/epoch-tile-copper-tumbled-slate-mosaic-floor-or-wall-tile-2-x-4/p-2003598-c-12518.htm -11.22 1 45 -504.9 Upstairs Rain shower head http://www.amazon.com/Koko-Rain16-16-inch-Polished-Stainless/dp/B00JJRG0TK/ref=sr_1_106?

I would like to address a concern I have about the herd-mentality of everyone and their uncle becoming "investors" and how this is likely to have very serious long term implications on housing that few have thought much about.

The BP forums are still a great place to cross-check what you think you know against the wisdom of the herd.

Remember kids were meant to be "seen and not herd" & "speek only when spoken to" once upon a time.

Dallas has gotten much cooler than it used to be but you still need a working ac unit…maybe look in to radiant barrier?

Like herding cats I used to say...... 

From my experience you should start w/ a "self assessment" because there are many options open to you and you can easily get dragged and join the wrong (for you) investment "herd".$500k can be used for a flip in S CA or maybe 4-8 rentals in other states or maybe 2-4 rentals locally.It all comes down to these:Are you an active or passive investor?