While I am opposed to this for ideological reasons, as a renter in NYC, it's nice to know that I live and rent on the popular side of this populist argument.

Here you will meet wholesalers who provide deals and all the cash buyers (rehabbers) you will need.You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing or vacation rentals both popular in FL.

You will usually know early when your owners want to sell, and some will want to sell to you.Other tracks: Wholesaling (very popular here), Broker Licensing, Contracting, Flipping

I've seen returns drop there over the last few years but the market is still one of the strongest in the U.S. and one of our client's most popular choices.

What's the popular saying "price or terms, you choose".  

@James Stout  you bring up a great point with the popularity of "micro housing" gaining traction, home prices raising, and lower home purchases.

Stachybotrys: This type of mold is more popularly known as the black mold.

At least from what I can tell they are one of the more popular offerings and at least in my mind provide a lot more protections and less hassle than doing it on your own for someone who is new or has not built a long relationship with someone.Second, assuming you are not investing for control ANY equity is a right to some type of future return in the business.  

To quote a line from a scene in a very popular movie, "Of course it's hard.  

Before that time I was working as a construction laborer on a framing crew framing houses for a popular builder in our area.