I am currently in the knowledge acquisition phase of this hopefully long and fruitful journey and will be looking to move on our first deal sometime in the next few months (assuming we find the right deal!). 

Once my marketing and networking start showing fruit in Nashville, I'll set the trigger for San Diego. 

When you send out blind offers, you'll get more interested sellers calling you (not the other way around), and you'll close more deals.Just an idea to get your creative juices flowing. 

People like that, their finances are in the pits, so taking them to court is like squeezing juice out of a rock.

Even with all my own cash their risky, but at least I won't be paying serious juice to a hard money lender. 

Not that I am “there” yet but 40 units later I am living like most people can’t and starting to really enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Is Property Management not a fruitful career and business in and of itself?

I think the upgrade of the units pays off and probably make it more fruitful on a refinance loan. 

id like to start my rental portfolio and feel this would be a great first property. rental rates for 3/1 in that area are going for 1400 and there is also room in the basement to add a additional bedroom which would juice up the rental rate to 1600-1800!

This hides the owner so that if you get sued by one tenant they don't know about your other properties.Lawyers are usually working on contingency so they go after low hanging fruit.