I've been looking at Galveston Island for my next purchase but I need to meet/select a property manager first.

Johnson,I haven't done any projects in Baltimore yet, my only trips have been for Ravens and Orioles games.

Sounds like you are have a game plan.We are retired military and started investing in the DC area 15+ years ago.Bought, lived-in while we repaired, then rented.

I've been reading many posts on BP and now I'm ready to engage.My primary motivation for real estate investment is for retirement income.My primary goal is to buy & hold long term cash flowing rental properties.Right now I feel pretty confident because I dominated a family game of Monopoly today!

I'd like to have skin in the game on my first new deals.

It should also provide a network that could help finding deals that put you ahead of the game that might not be realized just jumping in.

Its a numbers game and thats just what it takes to take deals down off MLS.2) What I would suggest is finding 2 or 3 realtors that are the listing agents for a majority of the bank owned properties in your area.

@Dwight Williams Welcome back to the game!

But real estate is a relationship business, so unless you want to make unnecessary enemies (and local RE agents are very quick to make enemies), just learn the rules of the game and keep playing it.Btw...

So, you really need to know your numbers with each project.It's a numbers game.