Ideally I would like the properties to be in driving distance at least in the beginning stages.

Let me think about this, keep a car that is losing lots of value every year and has payments that are excessive while starting my investing career or keep it and write off the cost? 

I've been in the self education stages of real estate investing for the last 5 months now and I have a question I just can't seem to get answered via google or even a few agents I've spoken with in person.

Are we in the early, middle, or late stage of an expansionary cycle?

Are we in the early, middle, or late stage of an expansionary cycle?

If the issue is the Tenant simply does not want to hand-over that much capital, then perhaps the security deposit, or last month's rent, could be placed in an escrow account (however this is probably excessive for the amounts involved).

Im spending time on paper work, marketing, negotiating, possibly staging.

Landon,I have some I could recommend but am curious as to some more of the details, what stage, timeline, etc.

(Stage set)Recently one of our members took an honor flight to DC.

The $130k seems a bit excessive to me.