For years the insurance industry have used firefighters to "bird-dog" properties that are damaged by fire.

Quality of market-population trends, industry, growth, where the market is in the growth cycle, neighborhoods, price-to-rent ratios...

I am in the note industry and looking to do more with the physical properties as well.

Here's what I like:Geographic - eliminate all areas that you do NOT want by city or zip or other methodLand - eliminate all vacant parcels Property type - eliminate commercial, industrial, office and similar propertiesProduct - eliminate over 4 bedroom, before 1950 or after 2009Equity - eliminate all with less than 50% LTV Your criteria will most likely be very different so no arguments about what I want vs what you want.Now that you've determined what you want, and have a manageable list, create a mailing campaign.

If you're interested in managing condominium or homeowner's associations the Community Associations Institute is one that I see frequently.I can't say that I've read many books on the industry aside from course texts.  

But these past 5 years have proven to me that I cannot rely on my  industry (advertising) for financial security.

I thought I was new to the industry, but now I see these people on BP that are very successful in much less time than I've been active in real estate, so I guess I'm not new, just inexperienced. 

What was once the envy of the world for its pioneering automobile industry has become an also-ran on the world stage.

My employer, the owner of the bars, started off as a builder, and his family has been in the housing industry for 40 years.  

I am ALWAYS learning something since this industry is always growing and changing.