I would suggest starting out, that you learn your immediate vicinity like the back of your hand.

and even though rei is a much more stable investment vehicle HANDS DOWN over the stock market, equity or value in a home can fluctuate with the market - what it's worth today, could be worth LESS in the future.

The following article is featured in my November, 2006 newsletter to my property owner/clients...OWNERS.....Put your hands on your head and back away from the propertyWhen our area “sales market” started to “go away” in mid July, many rental property owners got anxious about the re-leasing of their rental property.....sometimes to their financial detriment:$ * Owners of a high-end rental home upon hearing that the landscaping needed some weeding and mulching visited the property over a weekend - the same weekend that the property was being shown by a local Realtor to rental clients who were anxious to see the property after viewing it online.

Just like all Real Estate deals when you first get in your going to need someone to hold your hand before you walk and run.Hope this helps....if you have time I have another post here I think you should read "Preconstruction Investments some Problems & Solutions" and if you still need more help let me know, but ones again DO YOUR HOME WORK!!

Now, if you're looking to be the person who is managing a rehab or being day-to-day hands-on, I don't think that is the case but as a pure cash/credit investor and/or landlord, I think you will find that remote investing can be quite rewarding.If you are looking for some resources to connect with in other states, try this board of course or other places on the web (I like Craig's List).

HeyNot sure exactly where you are in Missouri but their is a link on the right hand site of the page towards the bottom that says, "Real Estate Investment Clubs."

But I've found most are glad to have the payments being made, and most, do not want another repo on their hands.

On the other hand, banks often have lower closing costs and slightly higher rates on average.

Inexperienced investors looking to put their money into global opportunities often end up with more questions than answers and throw up their hands in despair: •Where do you start?

Let me be the first to welcomeyou and shake your hand -- as it were.It's nice to have someone with experience on board,and hope you will jump in on some of the discussionsand help out where needed.Enjoy!