It's because those at the top are taking up the majority of the mind share (analogous to market share for any business) and although these agents might be on Zillow too, they've already established themselves through the methods mentioned above.

I think if you just continue what you are doing and browse forums, listen to podcasts, and look over some of the deals analysis done on the forums, you will get the knack for putting properties through the ringer to see if the numbers work.And if you are a numbers guy....you are already WAY ahead of the game here.  10 years is a great goal! 

The name of the game here is capital appreciation.That brings me to the No part of the answer.

I picked up about 20 units the other winter back, and burned through $200,000 in repairs quicker than you could write a check, and I have my own rehab crews that work full-time at this game.

If you will be moving eventually but still want to play the real estate game, then buy a house using the same criteria you would for a straight-up investment.

Double check these.Before you get to deep in the process make sure you establish a good ARV based on recently sold comps.  

Very Interesting, thanks for sharing @Mike Dymski1) I would identify the Laurens road corridor with Parkins Mill, Gower & now Nicholtown, as a great example of an established Surban™ area here in Greenville, SC.

Given that they put in the necessary work/time to learn this game!

I don't want to get a job that gets me out of the game, I started playing around with marketing and I'm doing lead gen, data scrape, and cold calling for investors and small businesses.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best use of this money to step up my real estate game and buy more properties?