I am looking for a solid real estate agent and eventually will need a home inspector, possible property manager/etc. in regards to the process.I have a few family friends which I am blessed to have mentored me the past few years in this field and I am determined/diligent to learn and grow. 

@Sean Gallagher not a sales pitch, but this is what we provide for investors in Metro Detroit:)Understand that if you hire the latest & greatest PMC, many grow using poorly trained VA's. - Your portfolio will suffer:(You want a PMC that has great systems in place, including a great portal where you can keep tabs on eveything.You will also need to manage your PMC on a regular basis.

Best of luck on your journey, and remember, delayed gratification is your best friend in this business!

Remember that it takes more cash than you think to buy a place, too.

.- The syndication sells later for $5M, and my share grows to $200K.- I want to 1031 exchange again.Question:Does my next deal have to be larger than $5M (the overall deal size) or just larger than my share of the equity in that deal - meaning, if 200k was 20% ownership then it has to be more than $1M (20% of sales price)?

If your goal is to grow faster, buying rent ready properties isn't the usual way to do that if you have limited funds to start with.

McKinney and Princeton have been growing a lot and it is a good place to invest, but it is always related to what you are looking to achieve in a rental investment, appreciation or cash flow.At this time that area does not offer a big cash flow and due to the amount of development going on there, rental demand has declined a bit.In any case you have to make an analysis case by case.

From what I remember it was focused on Smokey Mountains. 

I wonder if people become experienced in real estate - unless they stop growing.

It's going to offer Strong economic growth, Appreciation (especially in DFW), Tax advantages (no state income tax), and a Growing population, including infrastructure and amenities.