I am looking to lay the human capital foundation early on that will allow me to scale rapidly later on.Thank you very much for reading.Andrey

Rent trends can be found at https://www.zillow.com/research/data/ and metro occupancy trends at https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/rates.html

I don't mean to go against the grain of those who are selling that idea - all I can say is that it did not work for me.So.......... back to taking seminars, buying cassette tapes and books - I wanted to learn everything I could about investing in real estate ---- so--I had to get money, working capital, and I needed to go on the cheap - A friend told me about cheap properties you could buy in Baltimore - houses for only $2-3,000 and many of them could be found at public auctions.After borrowing some money and getting some credit cards and a new job - one in sales - I was ready - ready to invest in cheap- junk properties in the City.And wouldn't you know it - I got lucky at my first auction and purchased a cheap house that was boarded up - Because of all those expensive seminars I enrolled in I WAS READY - prepared with my pry-bar, flash light, level, marble and probe - I decided to go to this building that was being auctioned the next day - I sort of removed some plywood and crawled through a window to take a look -Boy was I surprised - this place looked great - I later found out that the estate boarded it to keep squatters out.The next day - I was ready with my deposit and waiting for the auctioneer to start his melodious hypnotic chant - 5 bidders appeared but did not bid because they could not get it - I was the only bidder and got the house real cheap.Today as an auctioneer, investor and developer of commercial properties - if someone would ask my opinion on how to get started I would suggest ---Continue to study but learn how to cut through the BSGet a credit line Learn 20 creative financing techniques - no money down systems (that is none of your own money)Hang with a few successful investors and pick - pick - pick their brain*** Look at 50 houses in the area you intend to invest (not expensive, blue collar, mixed rental and home owner neighborhoods)When you are finished looking at 50 properties - you will be armed with knowledge that most agents and other investors don't have - knowledge of values -Keep a journal, put listings in it, write down everything the agent or owner says, keep a record of the cost per square foot - this will help determine values -Have agents send you expired listings - go knock on the door or send a letter to ask if they are still accepting offers on the property - Remember an expired listed is a property that failed to sell - the seller should still be motivated to sell. 

I think Texas is a very tough buy and hold market because of escalating property tax's foundation issues and herd mentality of investors creating demand that would not be their organically.

Trust me on this: you will always be able to tell professional workmanship.This same principle applies to most labor, whether it’s replacing a foundation or painting a wall.

Basement or foundation look for leaks, cracks that show signs of foundation issues.End of the day, apartments are a business, people buy them for the cash flow.

I've also listened to some excellent books that have also helped me build a foundation for my upcoming adventure.

Dig you a trench around the slab foundation of all 5 units, mix Termidor with water via instructions and dump it in the trench.  

Wondering if anyone could help me with a reliable GC/Foundation Expert in the Milwaukee metro area.

Build a strong foundation.