Before they happen prep a little cushion here and there for different areas you have your hands on.

I have been looking in different markets and heard about Tuscaloosa on the BP podcast.

Each town has different rules regarding rent control. 

They require or they request.Big difference. 

Those are very different evaluations for what a RE Investor needs.

ATM business mainly makes money from the transaction fee.

That being said, if it provides me a significant advantage or a starting point, I think it would be foolish not to utilize it.Therefore, given these two different perspectives/starting points, I'd love to hear any potential advice on which strategies/niches to focus on first, and for which starting point.

Worth noting that most firms will do two types of studies (although they may be named differently) - detailed engineering and modeling.

How long it takes to be financially ready is different for everyone.

Making sure that everyone is on the same page.And yes, starting big projects early does make a difference!