It seems that they are still buying houses as investors, but they have shifted their business model into teaching/ guru courses/ bus trips.

Yeah, I'm canceling my trip up there.

As mentioned before it is also a good idea to try to set up meetings with wholesalers and contractors when you make the trip.

Regardless, since you will be buying once, then selling once, your round trip commission cost will be about 6%, assuming use of agents on both sides.On top of that, there are other hard costs - title insurance and inspections, in particular.On top of that, there are *soft* costs - things that both you (the first buyer), and the second buyer (the one you sell to) must do - due diligence to make sure you're not being hosed by a bad house or a bad deal.

Take a trip to wherever your real estate deal is and check it out yourself.

Would you drive the 1.5 hr trip 2-3 times a year for $5,000?

If they ask for advice I will give it freely, but most people have major insecurity issues and I could care less about their ego trip or mine.

I understand that there are ups and down, and I am not gown to drop everything if I will trip.

I would be looking for coastal/Caribbean, it's mainly going to be something I wanted to do for my mom, and I've never exactly planned a vacation, (I'm 21 with no kids) besides road trips with college buddies...

Once you determine your top 1 or 2 teams, agents, contractors, PMs, turnkey providers, whatever, make the trip to meet them.