I know a local investor who only buys duplexes and he has great luck, but it can be very hit or miss with the tenants. 

With the custodian approach, they hold the funds, sign every document, cut every check, and receive every deposit.If your investment interests are more dynamic, and will involve multiple assets or assets that require a lot of transactions such as rental property, then a plan offering checkbook control such as an IRA-owned LLC will be more more effective and efficient. 

I tell them my boss buys houses in the area and then ask if they are selling or interested in selling.I know there has to be a more efficient way, maybe going closer to the actual foreclosure date so they realize the urgency or something along those lines and also maybe approaching the conversation differently.Does anyone have any advice, or methods they have found to work effectively? 

Save your money until your market is “balanced” or worse (better for you) and then decide whether to hit the mortgage or buy a rental.

Or, as we have had happen a couple of times, the local engineers hit oil and our properties doubled in value.  

Needless to say, him and I hit it off and talked about doing a deal together since January.Long story short, the owner of a 44-unit property he manages asked Andrew if he was interested in purchasing his property because he didn’t want to list it and pay commission.

Just trying to learn as much as possible so I can hit the ground running and get started as soon as possible!

@Bradley Den I don't want to hit you with overload, but I've written down a list of books that are recommended at the end of podcasts.

@Maciej So, @Andrew Boettcher hit the nail on the head here.

I am trying to soak up as much information on real estate investing so that I can hit the ground running when I land back stateside.What books/podcasts/articles/other resources would you guys recommend so that I can widen my knowledge of real estate investing and give myself the best opportunity for success?