I am also from Vancouver, and also a newbie just barely dipping my toe into the ocean of REI education.

I won't step on any toes, but just like to help!

Property owners have simply thrown up their hands and walked away and now you have a decreased supply of rentals and an increase in blighted and abandoned properties that are turning into eye sores and problems.

I have been a lurker on this page, as well as other REI pages for a while, but now that I don't have the financial liability of college over my head I'm hoping to start dipping my toes into REI.

I look forward to making some new friends, some mistakes, and hopefully enough money to pay off my gargantuan student loans :-)Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself and learn how to dip my toe into the real estate pool.

I actually dipped my toes into the stock market to accomplish my goals, but I am a worker and a do-er I like to be active and I like the idea of a more "hands-on" method of building wealth.

You can get some good deals but the top 3 downsides are : 1) you have to buy them without seeing the inside of them, there are ways to get a peak inside if you are thinking on your toes. 2) it is not as simple as bringing money and bidding, there are many ways to get screwed and in a few cases even if you do your homework "IT"can happen so preparation, due diligence and understanding the process /risk are critical3) even if you can find a free and cleAr deal and you are pumped up to capitalize on the upside you see THEN someone pays a ridiculous amount for the property, which happens all the time.

While this may lower your return, if you're feeling shakey, this can help you cautiously dip your toe in and mitigate risk of loss while you are learning. 

Cheap and easy to “toe dip” so give it a try and decide for yourself. 

After dipping my toe in and lurking around BP, it's time to make some action happen.....