@Joshua Smith The deal is the main factor.

Joshua S. 

@Joshua Bangert The way I read the article the 700 was students and employees, so actual jobs lost is likely quite a bit less than 700.  

I totally agree with Joshua D., the questions you are asking are dependent on your drive, how you market, what you market, etc.

@Joshua D.

@Joshua Reed - the members that have responded so far are accurate - it can be tough to do deals in and immediately near NYC because of competition, amount of capital required, etc.I would suggest finding and area a bit further away where you can do deals and not have to battle so hard. 

Half a year later, here I am introducing myself to you all after having read more books than my previous fifteen years put together and devouring every resource I can find, including no less than half of the BP podcasts (almost all played at 1.5x speed; thanks for that epic Quick Tip @Joshua Dorkin and @Brandon Turner).

Especially the Bigger Pockets Podcast with @Brandon Turner and @Joshua Dorkin, which I highly recommended.

@Joshua Poitras, I totally agree with you.

BP is definitely LOADED with very valuable information and I can't thank @Joshua Dorkin @Brandon Turner and everyone at BP enough for putting together such an incredible network and community.