My suggestion to you would be to start analyzing deals just for practice, go onto the MLS, pick out a couple foreclosures to start and take a drive to check them out, put together a pretend rehab budget then head to the MLS again and do some research on some comparable homes that have sold and are for sale in the market..... basically start to act like an investor and you'll begin to realize what areas are missing from your process.

Im not pretending to be a guru, I just said I am an experienced investor that can answer questions.

You can throw that number to an answering service, but sooner rather than later, they are going to call the number pretending to be a seller.

Hello,Like most realtors I started in that traditional residential market but with the cool down I changed gears to investor market.I have worked with historic and traditional reo and short sales, being a part of an investment brokerage with a large network of investors approximately 65+ K we have been up to date with market demand.Over the last eight months, Bulk REO's have become in high demand and some of my colleagues and myself switched towards working in that market.The problem that I come across time and time again is misrepresentation, false packages and unfulfilled performance that unfortunately causes loss of clients.Any advice in terms of finding concrete contacts that are close to the sell side and how to disqualify pretenders right off the bat?

My partner has been flipping in this market for over 15 years and has seen and been through a lot.Yes, there's a lot of investors, but there are also tons of pretenders too.

Don't pretend to know all the answers, but find a way to get the Right answer....Be Real...GL

Should I just pretend to be a real applicant who wants to move in permanently?

My advice would be to pretend you are looking for that type of space to rent and see what you can find in your area.

In essence pretend you're going to move there and rent... 

For sake of example lets pretend closing costs are not included.