I can take a hit, but the deception was so deliberate that it just makes me mad people do that.  

So in short: have solid checks that will most likely but not deliberately disqualify students. 

IRC § 1031 even addresses properties held for fewer than two years (only the periods during which the property was held are taken into account, unless it looks as though an individual is deliberately trying to “avoid the purpose” behind the code).The safe harbor, essentially, is something like that IF…1.

@Lakeesha Romero, you are deliberately ignoring every motivated Seller who "either wants cash or... don't want the hassle of being a landlord" (who comprise probably 90% of your available pool of motivated sellers), just so you can focus on finding 1 Seller per 1000 who might be talked into lease options?

You will understand your business better and have complete control when you take the time to plan, invest and act in a deliberate and orderly manner.A side benefit from viewing your current employer as your investor is the greater satisfaction you can get from your current job.

I've been reading LOTS of REI books over the past month after I decided that I want to stop dreaming and take a deliberate step to becoming more educated on the subject.

I am a newbie, finally "jumping" into the world of real estate after many months of deliberation and addiction to BP Podcast.

Set very deliberate exit strategy criteria though and sell it when you leave or keep it as a rental, depending on the market etc... 

I don't have relevant work experience to receive a high pay grade in any industry besides sales right now so I am deliberating whether I should continue in school or just strive to climb the ladder without an advanced degree to avoid more debt and to achieve financial freedom sooner.

I had a property manager who took a bad check and never even informed me until 2 months later after the fact of this problem with tenants who subsequently created an nusaince deliberately flushing rags and excess tampons down the drain, complaining about mold, refusing to let in the plummer, threatening my manager etc...