It took so long since I still have a day time job selling building materials, so most phone calls were done at lunch, the studying and practicing were done in the evenings after my two minions were in bed.I was analyzing and having realtors send me video tours in the meantime to practice, but it was go time to place offers after about 7-8 months since September.

Once this deal popped up on a local real estate agent's radar, I was one of the first people they thought to call about it coming onto the market and after a tour and inspection we closed the deal through a brief back and forth negotiation.

One of the things that I like to do is what I call an online virtual tour where we look at a map of the city and I can point out the areas that we like and the areas that we don't.

a couple guys here still use her bus tour strategy to sell their properties. and you're exactly right, i'm at the stage now where i want to find the deals and partner with experienced rehabbers from my local REIA. i know enough about rehabbing to NOT try and do a rehab on my own just off what i've read. no slight to this or any forum but there's just so much that can go wrong on a rehab, having that experienced rehabber is key as it provides the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and shorten my learning curve. 

:)I toured the house and this one actually has some issues that I don't feel very comfortable tackling since this would be my very first property.

Additionally, we haven't toured any homes in Encore at Reunion and don't know as much about it.

I have an awesome one that does direct to tour operators and that means more bookings, longer stays and premium rates..you won't be competing with mom and pop or self managing that really only have access to airbnb, VRBO etc.

@Bryson Cox well am I supposed to have a ballpark of what I think I should get the house for before I have even toured it or met with the seller?

Find deals during your week, and set up tours for yourself on the weekends.

Alternatively, this is where having a team in place is needed: contractor or designer would be ideal, as the contractor can give you a scope of work while touring, if you don't care what the end result is, or a designer if you care about the finishes.