@Darius Anderson@Todd Dexheimer and @Brian Burke have both given superb advice.Here's my example that you can maybe learn from:- I spent 2 months researching specific market (demographics, job and population growth, income, crime, desirability of various neighborhoods, rental rates, vacancy rates, etc...) all while analyzing about 100 properties in that city.- I narrowed my search to 15 properties that performed well on paper - I booked 2 days with the real estate agent (who I've been in contact with for the last 2 months) and he arranged viewings for 12 out of 15 of the properties- I booked a hotel and drove out there and we walked through every unit of every property.

The area is less desirable overall, but closer to the large employer in my area.

I guess I should start by introducing my self My name is Sergio I live in the awesome city of Phoenix, Az I came to the U.S 22 yrs ago from Colombia, I served honorably in the U.S Marines and I currently work in the oil and gas industry in the frozen state of ND some of my hobbies are riding my motorcycle, hiking, shooting at the range, salsa, bachata, vallenato dancing.Like almost every one I was influenced by Robert Kiyosaki's Rich dad Poor dad a few years ago and that set in motion a desire to get out of the rat race, I started working in the oil industry to get out off debt as prescribed by Dave Ramsey now a few years in to my oil field career I've accomplished some financial goals and now ready to dive in to the real state world so I can work for my self "minding my business" (forgot who said that but good quote) I like to focus on buy and hold rental property the residual income is something that is appealing to me, I guess my goal is to eventually stop "working" and spend more time with family and donate more of my time and money to my friends organization helping disable kids and under privilege families in Colombia.I hope this was a proper intro and it wasn't too long looking forward to one day being on the Bigger pockets podcast with Josh and Brandon and having photograph taken with Robert Kiyosaki.

Tony Robbins speaks about this often as well to reward yourself immediately after completing a desired task.

Basically the more people that know of your desire the better. 

I have no experience in real estate, but I do have a drive and desire to learn and launch my career.

My question is... since I will incur expenses (local REI club dues, Bigger Pockets Pro, entertainment expenses while building a team, fuel while prospecting desirable localities for my target property type, maybe a separate cell number and PO Box for direct mail responses etc...) this year, but will most likely not purchase a property until 2017, am I able to deduct those expenses against my w2 earned income this year?

Did you leave a written summary of the last three years P an L and proformas on the desired acqusition?

“Every result that you desire […] is preceded by a process that is required to produce the result.

HI @David Goldberg.I understand the desire of the agent to sign you to a contract.