So if you don't mind learning while earning, as well as being coachable or teachable, we may be able to do business together.  

@Mike Iafrati Wholesaling (correctly) is one of the (if not the) most complex ways to earn income as a real estate investor...I personally don't acknowledge wholesaling as investing, but hey...it all depends on what you are interested in.

One week before they're ready to stage, they arrive and almost everything they put their hard earned cash into magically disappeared! 

Is grand dad earning that much??

If you sum up monthly interest and monthly depreciation of the vehicle, and that yields a number smaller than what you believe you earn in a month because you are driving that car, you're coming out ahead.

Term must be earned by first proving they are a reasonable risk and good tenants.

A buyer needs to earn $257,000 to afford the area’s median price of $1.3 million.San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Boston are the rest of the U.S.’ five priciest cities for buying.Phoenix is still the most affordable city in the West on the list.

On one hand if you work directly with the listing agent, you could entice that agent to convince the seller more to take your offer since they will be earning double commission.

@Tyler Wisner you have some good suggestions above but many "buy and hold" investors look for 3 method of income on investment properties:Appreciation of the Property - Meaning the local economy is strong enough to support a healthy housing marketPrinciple Buy Down - Meaning every payment your renter makes to you pays down the principle balance of the mortgageCash Flow - the amount of money you earn each month that is OVER and ABOVE your expenses on the propertyIf you find a market where you can have these 3 items you should be able to have a good market to invest in.  

Do that twice a year and you are earning 100% on your money.