I'm not planning to bid on it because we are novice investors.

Always interested in making connections and meeting people who would be willing to put up with a novice :) I'll definitely stay connected as we get closer to your trip!

I am a novice investor in this field.

I'm hardly a novice, but it was clear that he wasn't interested in a true "partnership", only telling me how well off they are and getting my $2500 down payment. 

Is it in my novice nature to assume this deal is too good to be true - or is that the general consensus?

However at the end of the boom there were a lot of people, mostly novice investors, who were buying at the top of the market and they got let holding the bag.

I don't see the seller/agent adding capex if the numbers are tight..Or what do I know maybe the seller/agent trying to pull a quick one with a novice investor. 

Any insight would be great since I am a novice on this and trying to wrap my head around actual revenue as opposed to just net worth. 

Keep plugging away.I am a novice, but the numbers that I use in my calculations (or educated guesses) are:8% vacancy5% cap ex1% (of the property value annually) maintenanceI know you and I have talked off line and we are in very similar situations (stationed overseas with ties to the the Dayton area and trying to break into the investing back there).

I’m virtually a complete novice to real estate investing and looking to pick up my first piece.