As for gentrification that is a natural process that is a benefit not a negative.If you want to create affordable housing join or contribute to a charity organization don't start a business.

The credit card pulls will pull down your scores.Wow that is a major benefit of having a broker.are consumers able to do that by law?

Getting started sooner rather than later would also be nice but location is now my main concern,  I am going to try and go to a meet in San Antonio as soon as possible to get some FaceTime with real investors.Side note my post above looks completely awful i tried to put it back to formatted but ended up just reposting the whole thing,  I will never post from mobile again.

To be specific, my steps to fully get into this world so far have been: Buy my first home Sign up to BiggerPockets website Listen to the first 5 podcasts (loving it)Send this messageEvaluate specialized Masters in R.E and meet with alumni and teachers plus attend one class as a guest observerMeet with friends working in the industry (mainly working for big Funds and Developers)Bought the 13 most widely recommended books in R.E.

best story gets a main role in the new Stephan king book.. jk. 

Yeah, this is definitely not my main focus but I definitely see the opportunity literally in front of me everyday. 

The reason is a concept called either "risk of loss passing" or "receipt of benefits and burdens of ownership". 

The benefits for tenants is often out balanced by the disadvantages for the owner.

Insurance solves your main concern though.

Propelio is great because they have a good topic each month (similar to the REIA) but they also have a big area outside the theater if your main objective is to network.