I want to go to local banks and talk with REO (acquisition) departments and I have proof of funds.

I've called the bank three times and left voicemail for their REO department.  

Dear JohnWelcome to BP family.I am from Queens , NY.Let me know, if I can be of any help.Peter Dalal

Dear Jeffrey As stated by Jeff Greenberg, Job growth is an important factor in recognizing market cycles.

David,If you work in the real estate department at the financial institution, they can put you in the employment line, and you would have a hard time ever getting another job at a financial institution.

For licensing - Check with your state's Department of Real Estate about the course providers.

Some interesting reading on this:http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-04/business/31121645_1_efficiency-energy-department-new-rulehttp://articles.philly.com/2012-10-06/business/34280720_1_afue-annual-fuel-utilization-efficiency-furnaces

Most zoning departments are online these days and they generally have the zoning code there too.

Agreed, Seems the bank would have to cry like a baby saying they had been taken advantage of while having an entire real estate lending department that dealt with an individual buyer!

You might find yourself creating a situation that looks okay on paper but gets overturned in an audit because it lacked economic substance (substance over form).The IRS would likely challenge the use of multiple entities and an ESOP.Once upon a time you could donate a property to the fire department to burn down, take the donation and essentially have a property that was demoed and ready to rebuild.The bottom line is that many of the choices that might have changed the outcome today have already been made.