I think I'll try direct marketing as land prices listed on the free real estate websites are too expensive bordering on lunacy.  

The increasing population, 5 military bases, over 16 colleges & universities, 2 major medical centers, proximity to Eagle Ford, and the fact that it's first major city north of the Mexican border all help make this a healthy market for investors

I thought of something regarding your chosen area of the 210 corridor you may or may not have thought of already, but just in case:The LA county cities that border the West End (Claremont, Glendora, etc) are pretty different markets than SB county cities along the 210.

This neighborhood, Sharswood, which borders the more popular neighborhood we focus on (Brewerytown), has some interesting stuff in the works over the next 10 years.

My target market is an infill location in the city with the best schools in the state, bordering on the wealthiest suburb in the state.  

They are highly sensitized, bordering on paranoid, overwhelmed, stressed to the max and most have shut down and are burying their heads in the sand waiting for it to get better or fix itself.  

I don't see this as a plan, I'd like to own a multi family in the New Haven/ Hamden border of Connecticut.

I thought I'd been pretty much everywhere in Wyoming, but Thayne is new to me- it sure is beautiful up there on the border!

I spent a couple years working a project in Portsmouth and, in the spring & summer, would ride my road bike over to Hillsborough {Home of Paul While Cycles}, Greenfield and beyond {one Saturday I road clear to the Vt border & back}.Starting out with a 3-4 unit in which you live is a very frugal and smart way to get started, it usually means lower property taxes and, in the U.S.A., lower mortgage rates and down payment.Would you be looking to remain in Greenfield, or would Keene, Manchester or Concord be options for you ... prices would be a little higher, unless you remained on the outskirts, but your tenant pool would be larger.

I noticed that you're close to the Texas border, what's the real estate market like in your area?