Expect to spend a considerable amount of your time speaking to people.Expect to work dozens of hours/week with little to no immediate result.Expect most of your early interest from potential clients to come from your sphere of influence.Expect to go 3-6 months without getting paid (unless you do rentals which usually pay faster)Expect to be bombarded with distractions - mainly, people/companies marketing to you so that you choose their system for quick and easy buyer or seller leads.

This is causing a huge influx of people moving here for jobs.

I hear all these stories of people retiring less than 5 years into it; that would be great but not a deal breaker if it doesn't happen that way.

Does the original poster have someone who can do that like some of the people he mentioned did?

People talk about the best states to invest in daily.

Hey Raj,Theres a few ways to get around these requirements, just need to be in contact with the right people.

Would love to hear how much these inspections are costing and who people are using.

People like new homes- It is easier for me to identify with which homes will be more marketable in the future yearsCons- Cash flow usually isn't as good (which is ok with me, because it is always an equity play for us).  

There is friendly cities to such, people flocking there because it's where people want to live.

I've seen where people add so many loan extensions with optional payment.Say 1k gives you a 1 or 2 year extension and this can be done 4 or so times.This agreement could be changed so many ways to make it work.You could offer a higher interest rate after 7 years to extend to 15 years.