Here are a few recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing Check out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/ If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select that person below.

As one can understand it’s a daunting task to select an area out of 52 states.

This means I paid a little bit more for my membership in order to have a display booth at the networking events, along with the option to speak formally at those events.I took the wholesaling class that REIA offered last October and I have to say that it was an excellent use of my time and money.

http://petriestocking.com/blog/landlord-tenantHere's a link to his EXCELLENT landlord blog too and he's good about answering emails, so I'm sure if you email him he'll let you know if he is qualified to help and if not, my ipression having talked with him multiple times is that then he'd refer you to whoever you should call and not just take the biz he's not well versed in, he strikes me as a very honest and principled man.

Excellent ideas all of themThe down payment is also part of the plan.  

POL and most other RECF platforms are less institutionally focused so an individual can still select their investments usually without being bought out by an institution first.

Here are a few recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsIf you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select that person below.

I have a database of circa 450 names in excel and want to mail merge them into letters but don't obviously want to have to print all of them out individually and do the envelopes etc. manually.Thanks in advance

On my blog I have a post where I put together an excel spreadsheet that lists the fields and apps that I have. 

Excellent information in the Renter and Homeowner section, personal saving sections, and the retirement section.To spur conversation.