Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:but sadly, so many people continue to fall for guru hype.The reason why that is Josh is because the gurus are such good salespeople they offer so much to the unsuspecting person that they can't help but to fall for the snake oil speech.

Morgan and Carnegie and Standar Oil all built the beginnings of their massive industrial empires during the great depression.

The networking with so many other investors is what lead me to start Norada Real Estate Investment in an effort to help others invest and create wealth.Today I've diversified into other investments including oil & gas.

Hello Everyone,My names Charles, I just recently finished my graduate program at the University of Houston and am currently working on the trade floor of an oil and gas company.I have an accounting background and two years prior work experience in a small public company (the majority of the partnership's rendered service to were either in the medical or real estate industry), but would like to further expand my knowledge on real estate before testing the waters.

Hi I am Levi Pollard,I live in Dickinson ND, oil boom country.

Welcome Vana, Coconut Creek is in the building : ) So much to learn and the people at bigger pockets are awesome.

I pay for heat in two of the units ($375/mo on average through winter, oil heat) I want it out of my name.

Oil worker country :) It did not require any repairs by the investor. 

LOL its funny people can put others in an others shoes and (seemingly) know every system/person.If snake oil fixes an ailment go for it...if a newspaper column, text book, word of mouth, an "experienced" investor or what ever "educated" person &/or program looks good & helps get a deal &/or exposed to something like BP...doing deals etc then why bash it?

Was laid off yesterday through a reduction-in-workforce at an Oil & Gas company.Did some math, and after cutting house cleaning and childcare expenses, I need to bring in $30,000 in after-tax rental income (depreciation EXCLUDED) to match my W2 job's take home pay.Thanks to what I learnt at Bigger Pockets, I will liquidate my low performing SFR in Wisconsin (0.4%) and invest in higher yielding (1+%) rentals in my area and easily make up the $30K.