I ask them to pick the place to eat.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice about picking an agency, getting started in the real estate agent business as well as buying their first rental property.

Flipping and buy and hold are two different strategies - and I'd highly encourage you to pick on and really dig in.  

., causing your negative spread to be even greater.On the other hand, you could try to pick funds or stocks that yield higher and capture the spread.  

Thanks for posting... just curious, what made you pick orange county to start out? 

Got the lender picked out and pre-approved?

Read books on investing in real estate, listen to the podcasts, attend webinars and stay active on the forums while connecting with other investors in your area and pick a niche.

Read books on investing in real estate, listen to the podcasts, attend webinars and stay active on the forums while connecting with other investors in your area and pick a niche.

I highly suggest picking up those books and reading through them.  

I know I'm only temporary to the Mass area and it may not be the market I end up investing in but I know I learn best from experiencing first hand and picking the brain of more experienced individuals.