Then, thanks to certain unique aspects of Michigan law, residential taxes did not bounce back when prices bounced back up.  

We would constantly bounce ideas off each other, that is what you need3. read as much as you can, listen to all the podcasts, and then listen to them again, there is a lot of great info in those. networking with investors will also teach you a lot about this business. taking the real estate agent class for me was beneficial. you learn how to evaluate properties which is key in this business, you're able to pull comps, etc.

I think there are a lot of kind and helpful people that will give you pointers and let you bounce ideas off of them... but expecting a stranger who is successful (i.e.

Lets meet up sometime and bounce some info off each others.

that I like to bounce things off of.

If you would like to connect and bounce-off strategies, let me know!

I flat out told her when someone which such terrible credit history repeatedly bounces all over the board on what they will agree to, it's a sign of future issues.

Yes they are cheap to buy, and yes you have tenants that are essentially trapped in that price range, but that doesn't mean that your property will be worth anything to anyone else OR that your tenants won't bounce around to other props/ cause you endless headaches. 

They can shop multiple insurers, and run price modeling on whatever you are looking to do to find a good fit.Having someone that is knowledgeable in the area that you can bounce questions off of helps a ton.Personally, I do business with Goosehead Insurance.

What I have found the most helpful in my investing is the ability to bounce ideas and numbers off of people way farther ahead in the game than i am.