I have good connections, but I can tell you that over the past year I have developed some new connections that have created real synergy and my business (busyness) has nearly doubled.Please don't underestimate the value of good connections.

The trend toward "relationship banking" is something you need to grasp - develop a good relationship with some bank, or find one that explicitly advertises relationship banking.

I sold industrial for 6 years before getting into development.

I am a Graduate of Interior Design, and started Developing Residential Property when the Decorating field washed up.

Here is Brenda's intro threadhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/55/topics/70685-designer-turned-developer-turning-real-estate-professional-in-maine

Closed on some dirt to develop SFR and sent docs for permits3.

I live in a semi-rural area outside a medium-sized city, and I see a parcel for sale that would be great for a chain restaurant (a sit-down place). I have no interest or expertise in running or managing a restaurant,...

The local newspaper said Portland down 4% year over year but somebody on BP posted something saying down 1.6%.Our apartment market is on fire and large new developments are filling as fast as they can build them.We have among the lowest vacancies in the country with 3.1% in apartments.Cap rates went from 6.1% in 2008 to 6.8% in 2009 and 2010 and 6.86% for first half 2011.Housing prices down 28% from peak August 2007.

Your donations are always plowed right back into site development.3 - Join us at the BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Summit 2012. 4 - Tell your friends about our site via email and your other social networks.5 - Share our articles, forum threads, and other content on social networks.6 - Be an advocate.

If you have the money available, maybe you should offer a large EMD when you do make an offer through her--that might get your offer more attention.If there are only two REO listing agents in your town that could be a positive for you--you can develop a rapport with both and come to understand how they like to do business, maybe they will give out the codes once they trust you.