Quote from @Samuel Diouf: I would focus on growing relationships and building your core 4.

Check out local job stats and major employers.Population Trends: Areas with growing populations often see rising property values.

Awesome board with many smart people having own suggestions and ideas to grow wealth!!

As you grow your portfolio and tackle bigger projects, your perspective on what constitutes a significant deal will change.

Affordable options in Rockwall and Royse City are also growing.

I do currently own one long-term rental property and I'm excited to grow that portfolio.  

Real estate investing can be a great idea for several reasons:Potential for Appreciation: Over time, properties often increase in value, allowing investors to build wealth through appreciation.Passive Income: Rental properties can provide a steady stream of passive income, helping to cover expenses and generate cash flow.Tax Benefits: Real estate investors may benefit from various tax deductions, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and depreciation.Inflation Hedge: Real estate tends to keep pace with or outpace inflation, making it a good hedge against rising costs.Leverage Opportunities: Investors can use financing to purchase properties, allowing them to control larger assets with less capital upfront.Portfolio Diversification: Real estate adds diversification to an investment portfolio, potentially reducing overall risk.Tangible Asset: Unlike stocks or bonds, real estate is a physical asset that you can see and manage, providing a sense of security.Control Over Investment: Investors can influence property value and income through renovations, management decisions, and property improvements.Building Equity: As you pay down a mortgage, you build equity in the property, which can be accessed later through refinancing or selling.Community Impact: Investing in real estate can contribute to community development and improvement, positively impacting neighborhoods.These factors make real estate investing an appealing option for many people looking to grow their wealth and secure their financial future.It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you.

I don't think they have the drive I'm looking for as I try to build and grow a portfolio so I don't think I'd trust them to build a partnership with but, yes, that's probably a good idea.

I'm new to BP and trying to build a team as I dive into more frequent and long-term profitable REI.I've been doing SFH rentals over the last 15-18 years, but it's all been very traditionally financed (ho hum, 30 yr fixed) and as such has limited my ability to invest more frequently, and grow a portfolio.I'm here to learn how to use more creative financing strategies (private money lending, Sub-to, seller financing) to acquire 2-3 units (duplexes, tri) and 5+ multifamily properties. 

Some key tips for networking and growing your portfolio:Attend local real estate investor meetups to connect with experienced investors in your area.