Hi i  bought a Tape of properties from the bank and i am happy to say today i close escrow on last one what a good feeling the tape had total of 13 properties in Southern California, 5 in San Diego were i live even one in my little town of Solana Beach, so step 1) Getting them out, Cash for keys or litigation i preferred cash for keys everyday 2) the estimate and finding the right contractor i was lucky enough to have 2 contractors working on my 8 properties at the same time some in Orange and in SD, estimate i come from a developer family and been in this for a while so i got good and knowing the cost.3) the right real estate agent well i didn't put all my eggs in the same basket i went and got 2 killer guys in San Diego, and myself i have a license also so between us with 0 dollars into marketing just with right pricing and todays market the properties sold in average of 11 days. it was awesome4) i also do consulting for first time investors and private equity companies, and banks so i was busy if your going to buy bulk focus 100% cause 2 jobs is crazy.

Surrounded by fresh produce from vegetable and fruit farms - famous for their Pueblo Chilies. 

@Brian Burke, I've got all my eggs in the Bay Area basket, and it's done very well for me, but even I have to admit that the politics here gets old after a while.

This is enough for you to see the fruits of your labor, get excited, and continue your journey.  

Another commenter has already pointed out that your deal scenario would be putting most of your eggs in one basket, which is a risk you need to consider.

I had one where the fill tube inside came unattached from the bottom of the basket, so the basket never filled to tell it to turn off.  

There are always bad apples in every basket, so start looking for an investor friendly one in your neck of the woods.

the contractor puts all their eggs in one basket , when the next cheapest guy comes along , you are out .

You would have all your eggs in one basket, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Jonathan Twombly I think that many folks see no immediate returns on their efforts, so the level of effort diminishes over time, and we lose out on the critical mass that is needed to really begin to see the fruits of our labor (and efforts) start to show themselves in marketing and RE investing as a whole...so the point about consistently feeding the machine is a big one.