I don't like writing up offers site unseen without doing my due diligence.That's good in theory...but in real life, a short sale seller can accept any offer he wants, even if it's a lower offer than a competing offer.

I was always competing with liars, like the advertisers on bankrate or companies promoting themselves on the radio, with bogus rates or terms.

The very organization, communication, and cooperation of your group will sour the atmosphere for crime and bad player will move out or embolden neighbors (now accustomed to communicating as a group) will test their growing relationship with the police and share information that leads to arrests.

(Out here, you need all cash to compete in that price range so getting a loan would seriously decrease my buying power.)

I do have a bunch of questions to post in the different forums, such as finding more financing resources since most banks wont allow me any more loans under the fannie mac guideline limits, Insurance has been a big pain for me also trying to find general liability coverage ( all my properties are condos/townhomes and insurance is provided for the dwelling through HOA dues ) so i need insurance, umbrella coverage for all my properties but none of the big players are willing to help so i will post in the proper forum also.

Smart people should gain competence quicker than others and never specialize to gain expertise.

American employees now compete with people working in countries without the inflation, so wages aren't pressured to rise with inflation.That said, do you believe that rents and real estate values will follow inflation as they historically have or do you believe that they will stay stagnate with wages?

And lastly, going this route, you don't need to worry about those in your group competing with you.In terms of how to find these people, BP is a great resource, local REIAs are a good resource, and just general networking with other investors in your area.

I only asked because most of the people I know who use the terms +EV/-EV are poker players

The best firms will be slim and efficient in order to compete.