So my first rental home was an old beat-up home that wasn't worth much and not in a desirable area, but generally safe.

Nolo press books at the library, gale databases at the library, the online sites are all basically diy.

This year, I've decided mostly to focus on flipping houses because I don't think I'm ready to get involved with landlording or hiring property managers, etc.I just joined my local REIA Tampa Bay chapter and will begin attending meetings, but I'm hoping to learn more about certain things online as well, things I've been having trouble narrowing down in the forums.I'm wondering about:•How hard money lenders work, and how you communicate with/propose deals that a person in that position.

I had the higheast bid on a online action through Hudson & Marshall.

Is it safe to use Trulia, Zillow or Realtor.com for my comps, if I'm using them all?

After graduating from college a year ago I've been learning the ropes of real estate investing through this site, through various books (Rich Dad Poor Dad series especially) and some freelance work.As good as the books and online material out there are, I'm looking to work for an investor so I can learn the nitty gritty of the business and get started investing myself.

I also see paperless billing, and the ability to do almost anything online-- in 75% of the states I invest in.

Louis, Missouri area.I've been reading through BP for a while and feel it is a good place to network and learn from as I make mistakes.Hope everyone has a safe New Year celebration and I look forward to investing/learning/networking and getting unstuck from the mud and making my first deal in 2014!

While I'm not interested in working as an agent, I have decided to take an online course to get my salesperson license, then hopefully find a broker willing to hang my license.

I think there's a ton of opportunity in town for developing some of those borderline safe/desireable areas.