a lot of new investors pick the cheapest markets in the country regardless of how far away they are, and how much knowledge they have of them, and I think that's a huge mistake. 

The other two in my post I picked up from OOS investors who had the same property manager as I do.

I’m here to connect, learn, and share what I pick up along the way as I (probably awkwardly) work toward financial freedom.

Here's how I do my due diligence:1) Portfolio matching: (takes 30 seconds per deal)a) Have an educated opinion on where I think we are in the real estate cycles (financial and physical market cycles)b) Then and only then do I pick the strategies, capital stack, and specialized asset subclasses that make sense for that opinion.

But after an exchange - sign the purchase documents with one pen and pick up another pen to sign the refi docs :)Another strategy you could consider is reinvesting into multiple properties, where you purchase the first property cash (ensures some security and concentrates the equity) and the second property with a mortgage.

Pick 10 people that are in foreclosure, and ask them if they want to sell their house or keep it.Correct. 10 out of 10 will say: "keep it".Now pick 10 tax liens people from your amazing tax liens list.Same equation, Do you want to sell or keep?

Not sure if you'll pick the right property?

That name can’t be used in those states if already used so pick something a little off.  

Quote from @Josh Holley: Quote from @Stuart Udis: @Josh Holley It appears you have a personal bone to pick with James given his brokerage is not even holding the deposit money.

What are the pros and cons of each option and in what scenarios would you pick one over the other?