Your agent is probably trying to push you into a deal (they work for commission, remember that golden rule).I actually bought my first property for less than what the seller wanted, all cash, no financing, closed in 7 days, well below the assessment and nearly 40 percent below average market price, rented it out and hauling in sweet money now.

The funny thing is, he borrowed a neighbors truck to haul stuff off.

Degrees in both Finance and Accounting as well.Owned a multi-family trash hauling service business and sold it a few months agoWork in the engineering field for government contracting for fueling systems for the Navy as a Project ManagerAcquired my 3, 4, and 5 properties this year and am on track to double it next year.I guess, like everyone else on here, my situation is all over the place :)

I also wish that I could swing a sledge hammer and haul demo to the dumpster as swiftly as my contractor.  

No doubt - this is an investment that I hope will appreciate, and I am preparing myself for the long haul.

I've been browsing the ABQ real estate offerings out there and there seem to be some good deals out there (I've toyed with the idea of investing out there as well).

you need to look for good cash returns otherwise it is just another shiny toy that costs you money.

A U-haul?

My real estate was slow and choppy over the same timeframe, but I expect it to far exceed the O&G returns over the long haul through leveraged appreciation and increased cashflow. 

If you're in for the long haul, you need to move up as quickly as you can.