My first job at 14 was working dusk till dawn at a fruit market.

I don't like putting my eggs in one basket with regard to marketing.$10,000 is a lot to spend on one marketing medium that has yet to prove itself effective.

I just bought and sold one last week that was owner occupied.Think beyond the low-hanging fruit. :)

I've been pushing myself at such a pace that I've sort of distanced myself from going to social events -- working all the time.There's one thing to be said for financial success but another for the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

IMHO be buy from "Mom and Pop" investors not the guy or gal who has purchased 500 houses during their career so I dont want to waste marketing dollars on the high mostly unreachable fruit.

I agree with Michael that your lower hanging fruit is working your COI (circle of influence), but if you have that base covered, and you're doing marketing, etc. don't just sit around waiting for a miracle to happen like so many do.  

I was going to post a picture with poop in a basket but thought @Brandon Turner would remove it... 

Its a question to get rid of fantasy land sellers and unmotivated sellers as fast as possible without ruining the fruit for a later call. 

I've been pretty vocal about the fact that -- while there is nothing wrong with paying for a coach -- there are other, less costly avenues that can be just as, or more, fruitful for budding investors.I've mentored a few other up-and-coming investors in the past (75% success ratio), but with the new family, I haven't had much time the past year or two.

I had hoped to start with what I thought was the low hanging fruit of absentee owners.