@Shaun Reilly, do you happen to go to the black diamond networking sessions?

I'm in the DFW area, and I'm new to RE investing as well.And @Paul Timmins , I've taken to your advice and signed up for a DFW REI Club meeting, which happens to take place tomorrow at the Diamond Oaks Country Club.

For a cash flow investor it is a tough market to be in.Since prices and rents are so out of whack since people are investing based on cashing in appreciation you really have to find the diamonds in the rough to make any real returns based on income.Since the appreciation play is a big one I would shy away from buying a nice place in a rougher area if you don't think it will turn around.

Analysis of conditions like this may hold the answers you seek in Massachusetts.I don't have any first hand experience in wholesales but if you're savvy enough to find a diamond in the rough I have friends who were able to double their money in under a month.Good luck!

There are a number of groups in our area, I recommend the New England REIA for a conventional REIA and invite you to attend our free Black Diamond networking group in Waltham, see url in my signature.It is harder when you don't have cash, you will find many gurus who tell you that you don't need money to get started, but regardless of what they say, at the very least it is more difficult.

I like Black Diamond REI myself (shameless plug)...

I am travelling to Central Ma to attend the Black Diamond REIA (two sessions in two different towns) hosted by Ann Bellamy.

Is this Bob Diamonds system?

At best this property would break-even.San Fransisco has an (overall) average rent-to-value ratio of about 0.4% -- far below what an investor can get in other markets with stronger economics and lower purchase prices.I think eventually you'd find a piece of property with a positive cash-flow, but the length of time you'd have to spend to sift through enough properties to find that "diamond in the rough" would make the effort questionable.Additionally, the very high land cost under those properties carries a high level of exposure and risk for any investor since the first thing to drop when the housing market turns and cycles down are land values.I hope to meet you one of these days Ben. :-)Continued success!

May I suggest you attend our free Black Diamond networking event tonight in Waltham MA.