I was born and raise in LA.

Do not fall into that trap @Nestor Coronado, the only way to find true mentors is the the following :Network network network, you will end up meeting experienced investors that do what you want to do and for most of them, it probably will not go further but for a couple of people, you will just click with them.

I was born and raised in San Marcos, Texas.

My two latest builds will have enough built in equity once complete, that I will not have much cash trapped in each project when I get my permanent financing.  

Get out a spreadsheet and itemize everything you want to replace and go to Home Depot and price every single item (count and list every switch, screw, nail, cover plate, bend, elbow, trap, pipe cabinet, faucet, and glue tube).

I am 60 years old and I was born and raised in Dallas Texas but I do not think I have ever been to Seabrook.  

The owners had a grandbaby being born and wanted to be there.

I think most people fall into the trap though of not reinvesting the added cashflow benefit of a 30 year mortgage.

Jonathan  Real Estate guru seminars are born out of MLM.. its the exact same techniques instead of selling soap they are selling dreams and  education.. there is huge money In the guru business and selling information that others don't have and or don't want to put in their apprenticeships to learn.And for whatever reason real estate hits  a cord with many that this is a way to financial freedom and quit your day job etc.. nothing could be further from the truth.. a successful career as a RE agent broker is a lot of work and takes years.. to be a successful investor you usually need to be successful in your day job so you earn and save money so you can buy investment grade RE... simple as that.

I was born and raised in Dallas Texas and I think about how well it is doing in several big cities.