As for cash flow homes, they are pretty difficult to come across and the multi unit market here doesn't really exist in a 2-4 unit unless its in "C" or "D" areas....this might or might not present an opportunity i am not sure.3) Houston is a big oil and gas city and costs in general for housing here compared to the coasts are LOW while incomes the last 2-3 years have been competitive to coasts...this means a lot of discretionary income is around so there might be investors that will keep the real estate market from bottoming once they find cap rates that make sense4) there is a huge overbuild of commercial properties in the city and ive heard that there is more commercial space coming online this year that is new sqft than the ENTIRE city of St Louis sqft total...and that doesnt even begin to factor in the several huge multi unit mixed use projects all over the city just coming online....soo the mid-upper "a" or "b" properties are probably all overpriced and will see some pressure....which is why i stuck to a "c"/"d" property because they are pretty much not adding more of5)  This deal seems fine but if i am going to start really building this business in Houston I really need to get a better handle of what can drive this economy if it ISNT going to be oil and gas.  

This helps ensure the remaining forums are pressure-free places to exchange information and learn.  

When everyone knows everyone then there is a lot of pressure to behave yourself or word gets around.  

Hopefully the new construction coming online will soak up some of the added housing pressure, but I'm not too hopeful.I'll probably keep buying in Tacoma for the near future as I expect prices up and down the I-5 corridor to catch a bit of the spillover heat.

It seems like everywhere I turn folks have the strategy of "acquiring 10 deals over the next two years" or similar language that is gauged at acquiring many properties over rapid periods of time.I am unable to understand the merits of this acquire-as-many-properties-as-possible approach when compared with the approach of purchasing just 1-2 properties per year (or even one property every couple years), but purchasing larger and nicer properties each time . 

The odd time when I do see a good deal, when I contact the wholesaler, it is often miraculously sold (within hours), and if not then they pressure you to put in a non-refundable deposit with no inspection contingencies.  

Are there any reputable workshops that teach newbies like me that don't pressure me to tap into my 401k to finance the mentoring?

Hey Patrick - this is purely opinion but I would wager that the HB2 will be at a minimum altered due to pressure not only from the public but other states & federal government and business executives.

I did all of the rest, hanging smoke alarms, trimming trees, pressure washing etc.

I have tried going to open houses to gauge how the agent is and they blurb things that they should keep to themselves about the sellers.