However today, I'm with you.It is imperative to raise rental rates (in an increasing rent environment) annually.

Collaborative environment?

Finding the right property is probably the toughest part of this business for a newbie, especially in this environment.

Focus on finding the resources and environment where you can be successful and the money will figure itself out.

I'm ok with this as long as I'm buying below market value in a compressing cap rate environment, I am self-managing effectively and I have enough reserves to cover any cap ex AND a margin call. 

Learning how to make your money make more money is a real skill, and not an easy one to master as it requires constantly assessing your environment, making decisions, pivoting, etc, whereas just saving up money only requires you spend less than you make. 

@Ramon E Alvarez tracking this for a slightly different angle I think this is troubling for similar reasons that the current environment in this country is troubling—data is being shared and pooled and sold just like this rich now in the name of selling you things.

This personal anecdote shows the power of social norms and the environment.

Closing one deal over multiple deals in a competitive environment can provide some advantages. 

That isn’t the norm anymore, and the rules of thumb that were built in this environment are outdated at best, and misleading at worst.If you’re new to investing, stick to where you are as the chances of you making a bad deal out of state are really high.