I am a contractor In the central/western part of New York State.

Erich, that wasn't meant to be shared with everyone in central and western Canada!

Western NC has been strong all year but I'm slowing after New Year, which is what I expected for Jan-March.

Hi,I am new to BP and to the real-estate investor world. my only (horrible) experience in real estate was to buy my personal house at peak of 2005. Since then it is yet to recover. I am a newbie and trying to possibly...

You should join us for the next Western New York REI meetup.

First Western Federal Savings and North American Savings Bank are the two leaders in this field.The use of debt-financing creates a tax liability for the IRA.  

I am still working on that here in Western NC.

@Ramon CastilloWelcome.Check out the free Bigger Pockets Real Estate Guide http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingLocate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.In western PA I have a buddy who is buying SFR from the County Tax Repository sales he gets them for $500-2,500 eachGood LuckPaul

I plan on getting my realtors license between now and then, and I am saving as much as possible so when I can pull the trigger I am more than ready.If anyone who reads this is in the north western Florida area I would love to meet up or just chat on bigger pockets. 

To answer the "purchase price to rent" ratio question... older homes (50s-70s, early 80s) in older neighborhoods or not in subdivisions, older townhouses and condos, houses under distress sale conditions (estate, pre-foreclosure), outside the main high-$ areas (on the periphery, so 20+ minutes from where $250K-$300K "starter" homes are being built)... what I am familiar with: northern Harnett, western Johnston counties.