And how could I do this safely without being taken for a ride or ripped off?

I get to chase the houses and find the deals like I could in VA which I've found rewarding and enjoyable.For those interested, I'm also a car and motorcycle enthusiast and try to tinker on and ride/drive my toys whenever possible.

Ive been asking myself this same question. ive decided for the near future, and including the house im working on now;- i will buy with the anticipation of renting it out, so the numbers have to work in that fashion. - once im done with the renovation i will list the house on the MLS ( flat fee listing service only costs like 500 bucks) for a couple months.

There's gentrification going on in a patchwork fashion, and there's no good, safe district to buy in because one or two streets in any direction will take you from affluent to ghetto. 

Me too...Honestly I had a chance to ride around the lakeland area in Polk County, FL and I saw a lot of potential properties unfortunately I don't know the dynamics of the area to much.

Although it is a growing area, my biggest concern with my fix and flip model is getting accurate comps and being able to move the property in a timely fashion.

we went to Dr this year me and my wife and got married there and please no reading but if you find your self that you have to read J Scott flipping house and estimate rehab great books on my top five business books and listen to the BP pod cast could be great by the pool also  and if you are in the Dr make sure you take the sunset horseback ride on the beach and the boat ride by the island the other pass on it. 

Reno has had a pretty wild ride over the several years.  

You can inform the agent that you would like a return call or you can discontinue the agreement based on not return your calls in a timely fashion.

My short term goals are to try my hand at wholesaling, buy/flip, small MFH buy/hold and then onto apartment complexes.Everyone seems to be a wealth of information and very helpful on these boards which is awesome and I hope I can provide some knowledge as well as I take the plunge.I've read most of the "starter kit" forums and blog posts and now I'm looking to network with like-minded people that are here in Houston.Thanks for having me and I'm holding on for the ride!