I believe this is a good NICHE as there are many good people out there that can afford a home but can't get a loan due to recent foreclosure,short sale etc.

Sure recipe for disaster, in my opinion.Would also say a big resounding NO to debt - find an affordable market (and you don't have to limit yourself to your own back yard, the world's full of those at any given time, even if there's nothing around your home town at the moment), and don't give in to the temptation of easy money.Kenny Estes wrote a great piece about that one, and I couldn't agree more - http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/07/24/real-estate-leverage/(all of the above is just my opinion and experience, of course.

After all this is a great opportunity that I cant afford to pass up.

Usually their asking prices are beyond reality but they're still worth calling because you may be able to get a motivated seller out of it.We mail out postcards to the for sale by owners, we generally age the list for a few weeks so that they when they get the mailing they could be frustrated it hasn't sold and maybe they will be more flexible.

Partnering up with someone who will provide you the capital to be able to afford a project in your area would be the best solution.

Putting a roof over you head continues to escalate while take-home pay declines - renting or buying.Someday, there must be a correction, especially for those who can no longer afford to live.

Until I can afford to purchase long term rentals to secure a stable future for my family.

Second reason - someday all of this work will pay off and I want to be able to afford to pay somebody else to manage my properties for me so my tenants can pay me to sit on the beach somewhere!

Ultimate Goal in REI: Enable "simple folk" like ourselves to capitalize on global markets previously available only to multi-national corporate strategies by facilitating affordable, high-yielding property purchases in as many countries as possible around the world (currently researching our expansion to Italy).

I have been wholesaling lately; but I also enjoy rehabbing and renting out quality affordable homes; my goal is to grow a rental portfolio of at least 1000 units.Thanks again for reaching out!