My wife and I do not have children and she works in O&G upstream for an oil major, so most of our earnings go to purchasing houses.

Simple calculation - average rental period for the area and "good tenant" profile (in our case, for instance, in Japan, its 4-5 years in the singles' units we like most), take 25% off that time for unexpected downturns (or more if your area is notoriously unstable), and work out the percentage 1/2 or 1 month rent income is of that period (in our case more like 1-2 months).I think, in the vast majority of cases, and particularly if you work out how many empty months bad screening or management can cost you, you'll see there's no doubt as to the financial gain potential a good PM or tenant placer can be worth.And that's without even taking into account the personal toll of time and resources spent when you do it all yourself...

You dont need to be a business major, but it will help you.Get an engineering degree , law degree.

This leads to me to think there would be a good amount of Lonnie deals around and maybe I haven't dug deep enough but the majority of homes in my area seem to be selling for $15k, $20k, up to $50k.

http://www.skyappliancesource.com/ Distributes major home appliances in bulk. 

I believe most of the books in the library have been somewhat vetted or they wouldn't have purchased them for agents.I also know that there are investor oriented materials as I know many Realtors that have spoken about so and so's method or system and a few Realtors attempt to incorporate investor tactics into thier business.I was hoping some of the established investors here would provide some suggestion, not only as to a book but what to dig for, what interests you or the majority.

My buyers list has been acquired over the years through various ways.. i can't say i have done one single thing that has brought me the majority of buyers..

I get that certain deals are worth taking and the majority are not.

But then again, they are out there.My simultaneous note purchase was commercial property, 70% cash dwn, 800 FICO on buyer with a 20 year proven rental history to boot and, secured by a good property in a good neighborhood in a major metropolitan area.

I work full time and manage my own rentals (sfrs) and have been doing so for the last 5 years and I find that the vast majority of my time is spent on (1) looking for new deals; and (2) fixing up the properties when I initially purchase them.