Create a budget, learn to live on less, chop down any personal debt like credit cards and such, and just plainly get in control of your finances.

Investors buy foreclosed properties in DC all the time...all that "Realtor" had to do is search the MLS :-)Maybe he/she was referring the DC's rent control and tenant friendly rules.

Just to clarify.1) The real estate professional designation does control how much of your real estate losses you can deduct against your earned income. 

Hi,I am not an expert but I think you might be exempt from specific Oakland rent control according to http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/ceda/documents/policy/dowd008111.pdf:Excerpts:8.22.030 ExemptionsA.

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

The HOA also controls a lot more than a landlord would like and if it is a badly run HOA you could be paying for it

I looked you up in the system and you appear to have been working with one of our brokers in Chicago (with whom I don't always control their markup).   

He controls the conversation and makes (guides) the seller into giving and lowering the price.I can't seem to make that happen.I had a seller who was relocating and needed to sell his home in order to close on his new house in 5 weeks.  

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.