Quote from @Kenneth Williams: I am Kenneth, a realtor stationed here at the heart of Memphis, TN.

My first year was filled with attending classes (I'm with Keller Williams, and they provide awesome free training to their agents), talking to people (in grocery stores, family, online chat rooms, etc), and listening to Bigger Pockets podcasts as I drove (alone) or walked my dog.Literally in year 3, I started getting repeat clients. 

@William Ferr  If you don't send out mail, or don't call, how do you get and close leads?   

Is it worth it when a p/t painter  will do the same for S10,000 using Sherwin Williams paint? 

Eric Williams has been my main contact and is always a huge help, but this will be area-dependent 

@William Costello Which other midwest cities are you looking at?

i hate to say this, but i tend to agree with william p., there is nothing wrong with beautifying war-zone areas but just know that you have to be aware of the element that you will be surrounded by, keep the candle burning bright because you may have to spend a couple nights in the property to keep it from being rampaged, i haven't step into this arena, i prefer to go where the houses are selling, in neighborhoods that i know i wouldn't be afraid to live, but to each his own, if you can get a line of credit opened and then from there look into getting a mentor or someone who has done this before if you want to build your portfolio, it wont be easy but nothing is life worth anything is, do you duty and due diliegence and you should be alright, let me know if i can help keep posting but most of all keep sharing

Quote from @Kim Harlow-Williams: Does anyone have or know of a location to find a spreadsheet with the metrics I should use in evaluations U.S. locations to invest in?  

@William Simpson Great response!

I'm starting out too and my main focus is Prince William and other parts of NOVA.