I'm just bad at it but I know it's important to drive more direct bookings.

You said you live in Austin, no better way to learn than directly so, there is a syndication group Viking Capital LLC, that is buying/raising for a 252 unit property in NewBraunfels, about 45 min south of Austin, watch their webinar at their website below and they have an 82 pg slide show as well, then take a 3 hour trip to go see it, walk the property, go into office ask about the units available/leasing how the market is from the office staff, look around for quality of property/deferred maintenace needed then drive the area for other competitor properties.

I like to listen to them in my car when I'm driving to properties and I can get through about 1-2 large size books a week if I'm really focused. 

Again, others might feel differently here.3) property level due diligence: (takes seconds to weeks per deal): here is where I drill in with the low-level details.a) pro forma popping: I examine all the assumptions, and see if they are overoptimistic or not.

Both working okay/fine paying jobs, both worked through school so no student debt, driving old cars so no car payments

Most of my clients purchase turnkey investment properties in areas like Old North, Merion Village, Southern Orchards, Old Towne East/King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Driving Park, North Linden, North Hilltop, Franklinton, Reynoldsburgh, and Hungarian Village.

Do DSCR loans require an appraisal (drive by or actual)?  

*Hibid.com is online local auctions that you can bit on and then drive to pick up your purchases.

The passage of the Dodd Frank Act and the SAFE Act did drive out a lot of owner financing that was going on.

Seller has examined the information contained on this Data Input Form, which is attached to and made a part of the Listing Agreement and warrants that it is true and correct according to the Seller's best knowledge."