I've been binging BiggerPockets Rookie Podcast for weeks now and I've finally decided to make the leap on to the actual platform and forums.I'm based out of Tampa/St.

Arlo is cell based.

A lot of it is based on F.E.A.R.: False Evidence Appearing Real. 2nd question, have you done all the necessary precursors? 

We were nervous about signing up with a huge national firm as we are a very small home-based service business.

I like land locked areas and urban markets as do most firms. look at where banks buy buildings. mostly 20 story buildings in downtown markets for a reason. asset protection and preservation so we try to do it as close as possible. there are lenders in columbus that do 100% hard money financing for renovation loans that based on experience make concessions to experience operators. we are vertically integrated though for design, build, entitlement, leasing, and brokerage so there isn't much missing. licensed general contractor. 

REI is a long term play, think decades.

Weighted toward cashflow but would not say no to an slightly below market value strong appreciation play.

We're not talking huge cashflow here in my market but the analysis looks very stong based on market average appreciation and the low capex figures. 

And I'm concentrating on Lake County as I'm familiar with the area some and have ties to the Navy base which may provide a competitive edge.

If you don't own the house yet, you really need to pay the guy otherwise it's a waste of his time.Sometimes roofers and pools companies will give an estimate based on google maps.