For example, if the deal is really weak you'll have to delete tiers and slide up the splits to deliver an attractive return.Your experience and investor relationships will also drive your decision on the structure.

Beautiful beautiful Redding, I love driving through that area (which I've done 4 times now traveling between San Diego and Seattle). 

The list was gathered from essentially driving for dollars.

I have a 4 wheel drive and PRAY for snow. 

But I want to learn and get started on a path that leads to a secure stream of income that will be self sustaining.

Cash flow is king and it's good that appreciation is not driving your decisions.If you and your wife are employed then you guys are probably in a great position to build a real estate portfolio.

If I find that there are more deals in the Baltimore area, I'm willing to make the drive.

She drives a Mercades and is a very high maintanence lady.  

Here's one example of my Guerrilla Marketing - Dunkin Doughnuts  drive through intercom - tons of traffic and they look directly at my card.

If you are a good judge of character a face to face meeting with the management company to ask some basic questions as well as a drive through to check the maintenance standards of the community will help you make the final determination.