Consider investing your leadership as well as money into the communities you buy into.

Major themes are motivation, sales effectiveness, personal improvement, dealing well with people, Christian living, and leadership. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_Ziglarhttp://www.amazon.com/s?

We ran through a full video of the build in my MBA leadership coursework discussing the amount of organization and freedom that was given to the tradesmen to complete their tasks - a good lesson in setting a goal, a framework and getting out of the way.

I have purchased two relatively small investment properties in lower Westchester County (NY), completed my New York State Salesperson licensing requirements, taken an introductory course in real estate finance at NYU, and held a leadership position on the board of my condominium complex.I do not have a clear sense of exactly what part of Real Estate I would like to go into, but I do have an interest in real estate investment , acquisitions, and analysis.

That is not an assumption you should take lightly.Another approach, which requires some leadership skills, is to buy a great complex a large discount because it's on the edge of an undesirable neighborhood.

Rising in influence, (don't forget, you're not from there is a mentality everwhere, IMO) in other words positions of leadership say in non-profits, your church, or other civic oragnizations is important to getting your name out there and having people call you instead of you beating bushes for 20 years!

I know that won't make me any friends with the reservists out there but its the truth.From my experience the AC and NG have the same amount of Blue Falcons and poor leadership.

After a few months I realized that the team needed some reorganization and stronger internal leadership and pushed myself to be that person.

I haven't defined my investment market yet.Thanks to @Joshua Dorkin for creating the community and @Brandon and others for spearheading thought leadership.

The 50% rule only plays out long-term and judging condos long-term is problematic.It is possible to get involved and help an association but the leadership positions tend to attract control freaks, and dealing with these types can be trying to say the least.