I respect my elders and their advice, however, make sure that the advice you decide to follow fits with your current economic environment and not your parents' or grandparents.

The other reason "deals" are overpriced is due to the super low interest rate environment.  

There was some environment problems in Sugar Creek in recent history that crushed the prices in that area.

A lot of people like having canals in the backyard for casual fishing and can be a peaceful environment when a patio is set up properly.

The result is that whereas 5 years ago passive investors expected little more than an investment summary, investors now expect (and demand) a private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, attorneys opinion, tax opinion, and full compliance with the securities regulatory environment, even on smaller deals. 

I did a BP meet up got a lot of people there but I don't think much was done.. it was more socializing and making contacts.. not really that much of a learning environment like Rarebird is.

In the current environment the renewals each year with a minimal increase have been a win -win for the landlord and tenant.  

Hey Mark, I don't think I am the best person to answer that question as many people know me to be able to adapt and work in any environment.

We do use a property manager for some that are too far right now for us to deal with, but they take almost as much time and effort as the ones that I self-manage, so I'll take those over when I have the time to build the proper systems there and have time to screen the tenants myself.If I found secure investments that could substitute for the income from our rentals without the hassle of dealing with tenants, I would consider it, but it's difficult in this low-rate environment.  

I've heard mixed things about investing in low income neighborhoods such as the quality of tenants, the actual profit gained from renting in these areas can be low/minimal, and crime associated with these environments.