@Steve Hall - Don't buy D class - got it ;-)Great article - I hadn't heard that study - trusted, law-abiding, carrying citizens!

Study and learn which areas you like. 

I need to spend some time studying the details but thought I would share http://www.realtytrac.com/real-estate-guides/foreclosure-laws/I am also thinking of loans that are 18 months + old.Any input on any/all of this is helpful!

I choose engineers and geeks.. the just wanted the best Internet and they were shut-ins.Take the time to study the market you want to invest In when you get out.. it sucks trying to decide wether to sell at a loss and move home or stay away from family even when your out.

We had a failed attempt at 1031 exchange last year but were able to eventually buy an apartment building so the losses generated by the cost seg. study will cover the capital gains we would have had to pay.

You need to fully research and study how to properly screen.   

The more I look, the more i see how investors wished they started earlier, and I plan not making that mistakeI plan on building up some cash and studying more and more to put a down payment on a rental property.

Flipping is a definite no as of now, but I may do so in the future, it’s all dependent It helps that I’ll be studying Finance at Baruch College so I’ll definitely be taking as many Real Estate electives as I can to learn more

I suggest that be your next area of study.

Detroit, MichiganPercentage of mortgages underwater: 34.4 percentMedian home value: $161,300With 34.4 percent of homes having negative equity, Detroit has by far the highest rate of homes underwater in the study.