That all said, every experienced and successful investor I know actually embraces their competition instead of fearing them.

Here are lessons from America's richest family:Lessons From America's Richest FamilyNotice the stark contrast between people running for the hills and those embracing the volatility of the market.

I have to stop and say something to the people that think Mike is not embracing "positive" thinking.

It was that right-wing nut job who just couldn't embrace "Change".As for me, I shine up my gold shoes and march with the Obama youth http://www.youtube.com/watch?

If he could combine this type of foreign policy with embracing a true free market domestic policy, US strength would grow remarkably.

I also find the reasoning, that embraces the US Constitution (who's writer filed for bankruptcy) for its message and leadership--yet will reject everything that comes out of EWI (without having perused it first--just because the founder filed for bankruptcy)--to be duplicitous.

Having money is much more fun, but it doesn't make you any smarter or healthier or more respected.Someone once said , " Just do the work and the money will follow".

What I see now days is many of the users of these companies have the tendency to shoot themselves in the foot by fighting the selling process instead of embracing the chance to have agents with buyers show their properties but I don't expect anything different.

SFR's are harder to control as they are more spread out.Taxes and maintenance tend to be higher on a per unit basis compared to multifamily 5 units or more.The Dallas market is healthier than many other parts of the country.With SFR's the renter usually gets more space for the money.Also the SFR will usually appreciate at a higher clip per unit once the economy turns around versus multifamily 5 or more.If there is low housing supply and permits for new builds versus more demand for housing then rents will go up.I believe many potential tenants don't see purchasing a house as a smart move in some markets so they just want to rent and let someone else handle the upkeep.I would just make sure that as inflation and commodity cost rises that your SFR are not to far away from the core.There will be in the future a wave of more intown living to reduce waste and cost of living since wages have pretty much remained stagnant.

Do:Let them know exactly what your needs are as an investor/agent and they will either embrace it or try to tell you what "they" want you to do.I think the idea that you are interviewing them is correct.