You better believe that oil money is making Putin very happening, plus having influence with nations that the US don't like can't be helping.

Remember, a great deal comes from a motivated seller, and a motivated seller doesn't want to hear that you'll buy unless...

I currently have one through my own bank, kind of a sphere of influence deal, but they don't have many foreclosures on their loans.

I'm hoping the people here can give me some advice, motivation and the courage to finally get myself into the "Real World" of Real Estate.

I moved to Minneapolis last year, bought a house to live in and am now getting motivated to really put my all into investing, in addition to my full time job, perhaps through wholesaling at first, then buying for my own.

Gets me motivated!

Yes, marketing for motivated buyers and sellers is part of it, but at the end of the day, all you need to know to make a deal is if the numbers work for you, seller, buyer and lender.

It may influence my exit strategy.

Buyers do need to be realistic though as people looking for 65% of value etc will need to find off market, motivated sellers.Has this been what everyone else has been experiencing in the market as well?

The motive behind that is either the new bidder gives up and don't come back when they can't buy anything or they get stuck paying too much and lose money and don't come back.