For my flips I have never felt I needed a realtor, and most of my flips have sold in a couple days for as much if not more than I wanted.For the house I am buying out of state,  realtor has been the best thing I have done.

We have helped many BP members buy their first property here!

I eventually want to buy properties in the Fort Worth, TX, area, as well.

Might be better too, so that you get in non-HOA neighborhoods and where investors are more spread out.Maybe someplace like Sanger, Lavon, Caddo Mills, Celeste, Greenville has a ton of options.While they may have sold to or allowed investors to buy, we're seeing more neighborhoods with HOA turn against investors.  

unfortunately, they're not great at generating immediate, W2-replacing cash flow, even if you paid all cash, which is also something i would not recommend.if you want to dip your toe in the water and buy one - great. 

A developer buys a piece of land and divides it into 7 lots.  

I might tell you "fine, I'll buy it, you manage it, and I'll pay you the PM's fee." 

Will it be a property to live in yourself or to rent out, have you thought about any desired ROI, your buying power capabilities, etc.There are a lot of people in this post that can give you a hand of direction towards certain places/markets.  

You can make offers on 2-3-4 whatever number of houses, but don’t put down deposits on homes you don’t plan to buy. 

., you never know the motivations for purchases in a place like the Smokies.I wouldn't be surprised if some folks were buying them to offset income.