I add the caveat that we had purchased 14 properties prior to these, all of which we had seen, and I had criteria that enabled me to buy without total panic.We would put extra income (from a tax return or a deployment, COLA, etc) into a mutual fund and let it grow until we had enough for a down payment.

Have you ever heard of anyone refusing to buy a stock or mutual fund because the seller was making too much money?

Or another to have is to flip a property, then use the profit to buy a rental and another rehab (which I suppose aren't mutually exclusive, but I'm don't think I'll be dealing with that large of a budget yet).

It may also be beneficial to check in with banks in your area to see if they post their REO properties online for others to check out, I have heard of this happening.

It has it moments stresswise, but financially it is beneficial and I have more control over my properties.

I have used the Land Trust method (ie selling the beneficial rights of the land trust instead of the rights to the contract to get around the non - assignment clause in most REO and short sale transactions) a few times already but running into problems lately.Although the first few went off without a hitch, I've had issues with using this process recently.

I hope this forum provides you with the most beneficial response and you do indeed find your ideal location.Best,Ryan

@Justin Boudreaux - Not only will the course be beneficial to you, but being your own Realtor is a HUGE advantage.

@Shawn M. is spot on in his assessment.I do not make my buyers sign exclusive buyer agreements but If I have a client who I have done some deals with and they start interchanging and using other Realtors ( To buy homes in that target market) i'm most likely going to stop working with that client, at the very least that clients needs have just gone from an A priority to a C priority.It needs to be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Also which ones do you find the most beneficial and why?