They devise all sorts of systems or software like "propstream" and they sell you on the idea that it "works based on data".Tell me this.How come you still need to send 3000 - 5000 mailers calls or texts to the "motivated seller leads" probstream is giving you to get ONE louse deal?

Do you have any advice on how to find and select a loxal group/meetup? 

He has cash, but you have a VA loan and are willing to do that sort of deal. 

Usually the increased buying power and shared expenses can help make the numbers tie out, especially when you consider getting creative with occupancy (maybe yall split time at the house and spend time elsewhere through out the year).Im seeing more and more interest from folks who are looking to do this sort of thing in tandem.

Of course, that sort of price tag that he pulled out of the air is not logical and just shows me that I cannot be trusting with people without a firm price on all projects. 

Now we are getting started in Birmingham AL (my mom's birthplace) and are excited to branch out to select areas in the South over the next few years.I am starting off with flips, but will transition soon to rentals using a BRRR strategy.

Based on what you wrote here, I think the lesson should have been to not chase a specific number of properties, rather chase a specific number of dollars.The lesson was to build some sort of active income within real estate through lending, which I'm currently doing, rather than chasing ownership of rental properties. 

Additionally, they test to determine what sort of mold/s are present, so as to determine toxicity.  

The best way to have a reliable tenant in your property is to:Buy a property that attracts a tenant segment with a high concentration of reliable people.Work with a property manager who can consistently select reliable tenants.

If you want to lend long term debt, you don’t want to compete and be the cheapest on the block (that’s a race to the bottom), you want to lend on stuff that nobody else (or a select few) will lend on and charge a premium for it.