Over the next few months, I visited the Hall Office Park and was very impressed with Mr.

If time permits, consider visiting local investment clubs, you'll have an opportunity to meet other investors both new like yourself and seasoned.  

I will make a personal visit to the property once every month.

Ive been trying to break into the SLO market, just to have an excuse to visit, but it's damn near impossible to cash flow those houses.

At least those people that visit your website WANT to be there.

@Wei Huang As far as what you could have done to avoid this mess, what I've finally ended up doing for my investor clients is having someone visit the property the morning of closing and - if it is not vacant - then you delay the closing and have the attorney hold the funds.This one worked out at the end of the day but, trust me, it could be much, much worse from a liability perspective. 

We had visited a few houses, although couldn't get inside, and either lost the auction or the auction was cancelled.

They probably would allow you to have one guest visit.  

if i had $800/yr + incorp fees to blow and not worried about the strict statutory periodic tax filing before i was 18, (or my parents were willing to chip in) i'd go Curtis' son's route.although time flies between 17 and 18 anyways. and so to reiterate - aside from reading books, and visiting REICs - i'd be focused on interning in any of the many REI arenas, including property management, architecture, sales, just to name a few (unless my parents also happened to be in some level of REI in which case i would likely be somewhat 'home schooled'  student of REI to an extent already). good luck on ur 1st REI deal whenever it happens; i wouldnt be in any rush for a 'before 18' deadline unless was into 'NUMEROLOGY' or something and since again at the moment ur starting 'early' (statutorily before able to enter deals/contracts as a minor) as it is!

Visit the forums this is a great place to be a sponge you'll find partners and local meetups for your area.