Also many of these markets have grown much more competitive as shadow inventory has dried up, so there are additional challenges to those just starting out in a market.

Let's say I found an 8-plex that has been without love for a few years Estimated 20k repairs (Brick, 10yr. old roof, 100% rented, gutters falling off, needs paint, shrubs grown up, etc., etc.)

I've grown comfortable with the risk.

We currently have 5 homes and some of the properties we sold owner finance to investors with tenants already in place that my company manages and have sold notes to buyers.My main focus is growing my property management business, we have grown from 0-500 doors in just over 3 years and have won numerous awards including Best Marketing in North America by Business Excellence...

I don't use credit cards, period anymore, but that's just me as I have grown.  

For all those asking what sod is -- I believe he's talking about the rolls/strips of already grown grass: https://www.google.com/search?

I look at the numbers and what the potential headaches might be and make my best educated guessI don't buy houses that probably should be demolished (need a ton of work)I don't buy houses in certain neighborhoods (high crime)I don't buy houses that don't cash flow at least $200 a month (unless the equity is good)I don't buy houses at full retail price (unless it would cash-flow $200+)I don't buy houses that could be hard to sell some day (we have flood zones here in the midwest)I think it easier to figure out what you don't want and go from there and as I have grown in my investing my strategy has changed a little bit but still the same goal of becoming financially free to do what I want, when I want with whoever I want, hope that helps

In that same time, Ohio's population has grown less than 9% (Source: usafacts.org).

This post is a year old, and roofstock has grown since then.

Now my network has grown as well as my REI knowledge.