If you want to get more precise, you can put several into a spreadsheet, spanning multiple decades (which cover multiple RE cycles with both peaks and troughs), and compute average long term CAGR.

Every county is different, you need to go to the county websites not to the state websites to get precise dates and procedures.

Perfect  and very precise answer David.

And that is precisely how they sell you on the next step. 

From Ali BooneI always say that no one should invest outside their comfort level.The biggest issue I see with turnkeys is precisely this.

The author precisely described large, long term problematic issues in the country as well as simple, realistic and economically accurate solutions.

I wrote a blog post that covers precisely that topic, targeted at people getting started.

Bottom line being that I bought them with a negative cash flow and with a tremendous amount of equity, but I had a very precise exit strategy in cashing out my equity before the negative cash flow ate my lunch.

A good loan officer will tell you precisely why you were declined and what steps can be taken so that you can be approved in a certain time frame.

Look for opportunities, maybe partnerships, etc.Your question was too board that I think you need to know precisely what you want to do.Real estate investing takes different forms for different people.For some, it is buying single family houses to rent out.