Brooke, the local REIA is mainereia.com, I strongly suggest you go and meet other investors in that market.

According to the sellers agent we were not the highest bid (by 2k) but our strong EMD is what won us the deal.

What I see highly effective here is persistent MLS search day after day, continuous social media presence, but more importantly is the right connections with REO realtors, lawyers, auctions, and homeowners.

I actually have 3 different investment (not primary residence) properties with strong cap gains that I have owned for 3+ years.

If I have to continue working, I will as I love what I do, but I have to set some strong goals to ensure I'm on track to do what I need for my children.

It is quite small and looks like a strong rental community.

(You won't be taking any legal action, other than a strongly worded letter from an attorney).

I'm fairly excited, and so now my biggest concern is just that we have few foreclosures, a lot of cash buyers, and a strong seller's market - even if I can *determine* what a neighborhood is probably like and where it's probably going, getting my bid accepted is going to be a challenge.

Id like to stay where its a bit warmer (than ND) but that's about it.My first plan was to go to Jackson ms, the amount of extremely cheap houses was enticing and I was strongly considering this for quite some time, I talked to 3 separate Realtors that were of no help as far as getting neighborhood information.

House was on the market less than 48 hours before we accepted a very strong offer at $332K (40% down, $10K in escrow, wanted to close in 3 week period).