Keep in mind that no amount of book reading can teach you how to ride a bike.With $20k-$25k you should start small 2-4 units.Also, the big boys don't want investors with less that $100k because for a $5-10M deals they'll need 50-100 investors and managing them requires a full time person.

Why don't you ride shotgun for this one...have one of the experienced people out front and take less of the profit.

After the call, I took a ride around town and wrote down addresses to all FSBO signs I saw.  

Go look at everyone riding bicycles up and down the streets to W Oakland BART, Emeryville, Downtown, & Uptown.

I am 4 months into the roller coaster ride.  

NOw I passed on the guy that had the space suit that he was going to sell for private space rides..

Easy- If the owner just wants to get rid of it than they will often take any price to get ride of the house. 

Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like to meet my tenants and deal with them directly.

Sure, let the lineman from Kansas come on over.I've had enough as a landlord in Detroit, I go outside and Will Bernard rides up on a rickshaw, with Brandon on the back!

I use old fashioned pen and paper for the application or email/scan.