Maybe I was working with the wrong people but as soon as I started buying for myself it got a lot easier.Being an agent does give your in depth local market knowledge ..of houses.

The irony of Dobb Frank is it turned into a fairly household name but it did so under a very simplistic lack of in-depth understanding of what it is.  

Start with the podcast and then the resources section: you will be amased by the volume and depth of the contents you will find............all the best!

REI is still good; it just takes more cash than many folks thought.And all of us who have been banging the drum for years on reserves and defenses in depth are suddenly prophets gifted with second sight.

@Keith OwensHm, I would stay away from contractors for that.We use an INVESTOR that also happens to be a friend, a real estate agent, and operates the home warranty division of the large brokerage that is packaged with that agency's sales when the buyer wants it.Contractors have dogs in the fight and although sometimes know more in depth on certain subjects...

You can become knowledgeable about how to screen a tenant by reading a book, but the experience is where you apply the knowledge to create a more in-depth understanding.I will throw out a quick story.

Because of low prices and good rent, cash on cash and CAP rates are very strong.I did an in depth analysis on the economy and demographics of Indianapolis when I did my due diligence on the market.

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by @Brandon Turneror The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

Then if you really wanted to make an in-depth analysis, look at how each scenario plays out at 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years.

@Kyle Deutsch Mann It'd be great to chat with you about it because while I have a general idea of what I want, it'd be nice to talk to someone with experience in the market in more depth about it.