Best to trust those who have a dog in the hunt. 

Many people apartment hunt months in advance.  

@Jerry W. we can make up for that personal meeting if I can get up there to go Elk hunting, when is your next vacation?

I would definitely look to get a property manager as I don't want to spend a lot of time managing the property myself, my goal is to start another tech company and not manage properties, so getting a PM is a must to leverage my time.What do you suggest as the first step, get a broker who can hunt for good deals on apartments?

If you planned to sell in 6 months it might matter.You are giving up your hunt for a unicorn because all you found was a unicorn dressed up as a leprechaun.

Happy hunting,-AP

Also on my book list is the Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss and Martin Stone.While I'm also on the hunt for information, I think the best resource other than a mentor is fine-tuning your keyword alerts and reading through the forums.

Thanks and happy hunting!

Hey Brandon Turner, your article did push me, and i want to thank you again for putting that info out there so others can start to understand the power of REI.im sorry to hear about your Starbucks addiction hahaim sure i will come up with more questions as i get more and more into the process, but as for now im already looking forward to my next purchase, hopefully a 50k duplex. this property will be much easier to find considering it will just be an investment and not something that has to fit into my girlfriends and I's personal needs and wants (which are very high lol)Patrick Jackson thanks for the words of encouragement, im already on the hunt for the next one!

I would be sure to go ahead and do the appraiser's job for him and hunt down every supporting comp possible and hand deliver a list of comps you've found the day of the appraisal.