Here are some good places to start: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet- find and connect with other BP members that are in your area.http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts - Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you.And, of course thehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/forums - ask any question about real estate!

Let me know if you'd like for me to get you set up on that.As for meetups, a few other local BP members (Tim Gordon) and I host a free event each month that meets at an active investment property and reviews the pertinent details of the deal and helps t explain numerous facets of REI.

We have used various methods to save up for down-payment funds: we set aside pay raises instead of consuming them, re-enlistment bonus sums, tax-free income from deployments, an inheritance check, the tax-free savings account while deployed...And so forth.  

I have enough on my plate than to have to worry about caulking a tub to satisfy a buyer. as/is does not indicate anything about the property condition, but more about the mind set of the seller.

the lead that comes in should be used simply to set an appointment to view the property nothing more.. its the death nell to qualify on the phone. 2.

The seller agreed to set aside $30k in escrow for this issue and we can go ahead with the sale. 

Could set aside $2k a month for further investing.  

Drawing set is complete and work is ready to go.

I can tell you what people here have done to set themselves up for retirement.

After setting aside $100 for vacancy and $100 for repairs, my monthly cash out would be $802, not counting the down payment.On paper, it looks like a pretty good deal, with an approximate $400 per month positive cash flow.