Look with a discerning eye the location and profession of the various people who post.

Just takes a lot of time and discernment. 

You can search any address in the US and get a DISCERN report plus filter nationwide for zip codes that meet your investing criteria.

If you have a building with 6 units in it, you will pay $65 x 6 units = $390 extra every year... for no discernible benefit to you or your tenants!

@Marcia MaynardThe problem with asking questions is that probably not 1 in 10 landlord will be able to discern the lies and BS from the real truth.

So while there is still much to learn from the books, the forums, the podcasts, the gurus . . . you need to learn how to discern what is relevant to your particular situation and abilities and what makes sense in the environment we currently live in. 

On the MLS, I was able to discern information about the seller that allowed for negotiations.

Listen to your gut on this one, as you met this person and hopefully you were able to discern their character a lot more. 

I only use white sheets, and have marked the tags with nail polish to discern which size is which. 

I find it disingenuous, but I was smart enough to actually read the IPO and discern that it was completely ridiculous.