But since that often does not occur, I feel the blame is squarely on the shoulders of the portals.

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and you recognize that birdogging is the best way for you to get started.My first suggestion is to join the local Real Estate Investor's club in your area (REIA).

I am ready to start networking with anyone who has a decent head on their shoulders & sees things outta the box.

Are you prepared financially to shoulder the cost of buying a house?

My goals are to sell my currently rented property and purchase another to renovate & potentially flip or hold onto and rent out.I'm looking forward to rub shoulders with investors here & locally in AtlantaThx!

Here's the problem: the common driveway is riddled with potholes; both within our property line as well as the neighboring 4plexs' property line.Do Ia) fill in all potholes, regardless of who's property line they may lie on, with the understanding that I will be shouldering the entire cost of this repairb) fill in our half of these potholes (quite literally, this would mean filling in just 1/2 of several potholes)orc) send a letter to the neighboring 4plex owner asking if they are willing to share the cost to fill these potholes.

But better neighborhoods like these have already been targeted so a cheap foreclosure might be harder to find, but it could be doable.If you're looking for more risky (as in looking over your shoulder at all times NHs), anywhere south of 8 Mile would realistically work if you're looking to stay within Detroit proper.

I see that here in Dallas, and I was told by a realtor that investors only tie up their time and don't like to show proof of funds they can buy so they give the investors the cold shoulder.

Tomorrow isnt promised to anyone so enjoy the things that are here at the moment, live life to its fullest.This is the lil devil on my shoulder talking...LOL

I suppose it's due to the higher risk of default, more due diligence necessary, and foreclosure litigation falling entirely on the shoulders of the HELOC lender.