Ned teased me constantly about buying this lien because he couldn't believe it would actually be worth considering and I tease him back about how he indirectly did help me buy this  particular lien and look, J and I struck gold!!!  

This may have been too much info, but this is a general outline hopefully you found helpful in direct mail marketing!

As someone just getting started, I would recommend mailing to people with 50%+ equity, and then use other criteria that you're looking for (such as minimum 3 bedrooms, an appraised value not higher/lower than $X, etc.).However, the MOST important thing in direct mail is repetition!!

Even if he is not paid — there is a concern that the individual is receiving indirect compensation because he is performing services that would otherwise have to be paid for.

I think they are forcing me indirectly to get into a month-to-month situation?

If you want to pay some bills, buy cash-flows market.You could make a such strategy that you could virtually live for free where all your CA mortgage will be paid by OOS investments (or any indirect CF flow, such as debt funds or even REIT)It's extremely even more important if you have family and serious about generational wealth transfer.

Martin for their direct and indirect help in my learning process!

Instead, spend that money in direct mail.

I also have been very successful with my job in direct marketing and plan to implement that strategy as well to find distressed absentee and tax deals.

Consider reading it in addition to Joe's book.2) Mentor can help expedite the process, but in most case you'd have to pay for mentorship.3) Participating in the syndication as LP first gives you a) ability to make side income and b) indirect way to learn how syndications work.