Having before & after pictures is a string tool when dealing with HMLs and real estate agents to gain business. 

Hi John, would you be interested in the Lake Lanier areas in GA in Hall or Forsyth counties?  

Kyle  You can find advice here, passive pockets and there are plenty of podcasts out there talking real estate.

These areas tend to attract high-quality tenants and provide consistent passive income, which is a great foundation for building your portfolio.If you’d like, I’d be happy to share some insights about these types of markets and why they’re appealing to investors.

I used to cold call, skip trace, send mailers, and don't get me wrong you will get success from it like James above, however as you gain experience you will realize you need deals faster, easier, cheaper, and with more "meat on the bones" and in order to have that you need constant deals flowing through your eco system and that's hard to do with mailers, cold calls, VA's and skip tracing etc.

If the market continues to appreciate, holding the property could yield more long-term equity gains.

If I got a home equity loan for Property 1 and used the proceeds as downpayment for Property 2 and then got a 2nd loan for the remaining 75% purchase price for Property 2, when I sell Property 2, can I use the Property 1 loan as part of the cost basis for computing Property 2 capital gains?

Maybe his investing style is just way more passive? 

I am new here just trying to learn and gain knowledge to start buying my own rentals 

Some properties actually lose money each month but gain value through appreciation.