Seems we're getting an international flavor here.You're already aware of your market and requirements so I don't know if our investing environment will be applicable for you.

They are good, bad and every flavor inbetween.

Neighborhood boundaries can be subtle but can have a dramatic effect on values.Valuation is HARD.

"Owner financing" can be offered with a FSBO or with a property listed on the MLS.There are many "flavors" of owner financing, and most of them have already been discussed frequently in the forums ...Keep in mind that the lower the downpayment percentage that you accept, the less protection you will have in the event the buyer defaults - they aren't paying you any longer, and you will incur expenses with foreclosing (and then getting them out once you get ownership back).

Anyway, there are so many flavors of RE investor, I'm hoping some more people chime in.

The problem with macro classes these days is that different schools are going to teach different theories, and even within the same theories, you'll get different "flavors."

The flavor of your deed will always be as a lender with a financial interest, until it is sold to the next owner.I think you might need to look at more conventional acquisitions even if you have a "new" attorney (brother-in-law) type.

Like Karen M. said there are many flavors to investing and many subtleties even within these flavors.As a buy and hold investor, I currently only invest in my local market.

Smart, experienced, no constant up-sell BS, just solid info.Here's an hour audio interview to give you a flavor http://reihighrollers.s3.amazonaws.com/access/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/call-with-dennis-fassett.mp3And here's a link to his course http://apartmentcashflow101.com/

Your loans will be on a commercial basis with investor/operators in RE, so the perception should take on a different flavor than by the general public.