If you want to prepare your business for recession or worse then read J Scott’s book, do some reading on the big 5 factors pushing us into the everything bubble; Subprime auto loans, corporate debt, stocks, student loans & real estate in order.I personally believe the best way to prepare for downturns as a real estate investor is to invest in mobile home parks & there best & brightest syndications if you don’t want to buy & run a park & to invest in silver because of the upside potential in a false economy like we live in now because of the bubble making influence of the federal reserve & endless QE & interest rate manipulation!

Not gonna lie my "criteria" is somewhat easily influenced right now.

If you are using a realtor, you can use your agent to perform the showings (or his).This would be cheaper for you and a happier experience for your buyer.My influence for this approach came from past experience acquiring and selling businesses.

They may have something for the buy and hold investor looking for appreciation, but I wouldn't allow it to influence any buy analysis.

Read the book Rhinoceros success, Dale Carnegie's How to win friends and influence people, and the book "The Go-Getter".

I think I'd recommend it for new people such as myself as well in addition to the essentials (How to Win Friends and Influence People, Think and Grow Rich, Art of War, etc.).

Many factors influence the results such as the market that they are in.

Also, your long term goals/strategy influence what to do and when and at what cost/risk.HELOC's are very hard (in my experience) to get on a non-owner occupied. 

I also hear from many other real estate agents that it is brutal and hard to get leads unless their "circle of influence" needs help from a them.

Ben, the first key IMO is getting the word out to your sphere of influence that you're in RE when you get licensed, and ask them who they know that may be buying or selling in the next 6 months.