Use a buyer's agent that knows the market, contracts, negotiations, etc.If you really want to learn about investing, get a job in property management. 

You might be surprised, but your rental properties have more in common with dividend-paying stocks than you think!

HOWEVER; if you aren't going to use your full last name, then it's important to upload a pic to your profile (which you have) The reason being, when someone has a common name, with an initial and you are trying to @mention them, if you have a list of 5 David R's with the stock icon, it's impossible to know which is the correct one. 

I am specifically looking in Essex county, MA because I want to house back close enough to my current W-2 job.

It helps me get jobs for my mini-excavator jobs that I do.

Could be very profitable if you made this your job though.

There are 7 tests to determine if you materially participate (only need to meet one) the most commonly used tests are:1.

I have 3 houses that Premier has managed over almost  9 years, and they do a great job keeping them rented to very long term tenants.

These are done between the buyer (you) and Seller.The situation that is most common to find these properties are in a foreclosure proceeding, or pre-foreclosure. 

., get a higher paying job, work two jobs, go to trade school, get a higher paying degree, live in affordable area, etc...these are things that most of us did).