I know that the job market and economy is strong out there, not to mention that Houston is a thriving city overall.

@Tayvion PaytonDFW's real estate market is thriving, with high demand for long-term and short-term rentals.

Ask discovery questions, genuinely care about the answers, and seek to find a solution that falls in line with what is important to the owner.Aim to first establish trust with the owner.

Give up a bit of projected return for an established operator.  

There are banks out there that offer lines of credit for GP stakes, which many established syndicators utilize and draw on to potentially fund their follow-on offerings.  

The trick is getting in front of the administrator, establishing rapport and getting them to a price that makes sense for everybody.

Being new to the LA market, I'm looking to partner with someone who has established relationships with local contractors and/or experience with creative financing.

Being consistent is essential for establishing a successful thought leadership empire.

An LLC can help protect your personal assets by limiting liability, and it also allows you to establish business credit early, which can be useful as you scale your portfolio.

Establish a solid reserve fund (3-6 months of rent) to cover unexpected expenses or vacancies, which are inevitable over time.Make sure you're well-versed in local landlord-tenant laws to avoid legal complications.