Staging has a big influence on both buyers and renters (when renting the staging is very light, but still a few well placed items have a positive effect). 

I think our real estate is stable and steadily climbing here, but it is influenced neighborhood by neighborhood, with some sections of town being overvalued in general.

My guess is somewhere around 25-50 units.Some variables that will influence that are: your distance from the property, the tenant/property class, etc...if you have 1 rental you should probably be self managing.

I have been to pretty much every college campus in the state that has influence in most of the major investor markets, including universities in the eastern half of the state, which I don't even service.

Start micro and work your own sphere of influence and tell everyone you know you're looking to buy a distressed home.

After reading The Go Giver, you've reminded me of its Second and Third Laws of Stratospheric Success:2) Your Income grows proportionally to the number of lives you touch.3) Your influence grows by putting the needs of others, first.This is the kind of life I want to lead, and its awesome to see someone pursuing their dreams with the same kind of mindset (giving selflessly, recieving bountifully)!!

In general, I don't believe any of them are fully right or wrong, but I have built my own system and theory based on various influences.

Being an engineer has greatly influenced my need and ability to automate, simplify and create systems/processes/workflows.

eXp's tech and the support I've received so far give me confidence that I'll do well, even moving to a new state where my only sphere of influence is about 10 family members.I completely agree that the MLM-style pitch is downright obnoxious. 

There are so many factors that influence asset prices that a bad economy or high unemployment may not even drive prices down.