I have it narrowed down to two agents, one has more general experience in the area and are part of a large organization.

Partnering: If you're initially short on funds or experience, consider partnering with someone who has more experience or capital.

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that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Quote from @Patrick M Nichols: Cogo is a total scam... lots of fees on the front end.

Every time you toss the coin, the experiment starts over. 50/50 every time.Not because you send out 3000 mailers does it mean you WILL make 1 deal.If you have a motivated (enough) seller in your list, sure, perhaps... but who told you that if you send 1000 mailers there is one motivated seller, in the mix, and if you send 10,000 mailers you have 10 motivated sellers in that list?

Though, it would be interesting to hear the experience of others here with the group. 

Once you know how the land is allowed to be used by City or County zoning, start working to a "highest and best use" mindset where you find out how the deal can be quickly turned into money by the end user.

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.

I have been seeing a lot of houses in the area going up for foreclosure. But the whole concept of foreclosed homes is confusing to me. Is this a good way to get into real estate investing? What are the benefits and dr...