I want to tip my hat to New Western-particularly JD Castillo (GM, Denton TX office) and John Jackson (agent-Allen office).NW gets a bad rap sometimes...particularly from their competitors, and occasionally customers who get in over their head.  

If you come across any properties in the western/southwest or northwest suburbs of Chicago, let me know! 

I live in western Pennsylvania.

How does having a wooded, "secluded feeling" large lot (but not actually secluded) in a rural area (western massachusetts, hill/mountainous area) impact selling price vs. a cleared lot on level land, in general.

Obviously, BiggerPockets makes my list of podcasts as well as Gary Vaynerchuk and occasionally Grant Cardone.I look forward to being more active on BiggerPockets and working with those interested in the Western New York market.Here's to working towards real financial freedom!

Downtown Lakewood, western edge of Lakewood? 

the 2% rule by definition usually puts some one square in the HOOD  if its a major city .. you can do that in little small mid western farm towns.. but the risk reward is something to be considered

@Casey NordendaleWe are focused in Bryson City at the moment follwoing a build and hold strategy and starting our first spec build, but we have researched and run numbers for buy and holds in the surrounding areas including the Sylva/Cullowhee area (where Western Carolina is located and expanding by leaps and bounds) and the Waynesville/Canton areas.  

Hi @Paul StPierre, I invest in the Western Mass area and would love to hear about your progress on this endeavor.

It sounds like your past experiences will help you moving forward in REI.Be sure to attend the Western Mass REIA, which you can find via meetup dot com.All the best to you!