Ryan thank you for the tips.

alex,alot of it depends on what function you're going to serve in the company or investment strategy(ies).if you're going to be involved in every aspect, well then i think ryan's tips are great, along with what others have posted.if you're not going to be hammering nails and the like, or estimating rehab costs, leaving that to others, than don't waste your time reading about rehab techniques.

How much do you tip?

I was thinking monthly, but that was only speculation, no formal training/experience in that area like you have.

For those of you that dont know this area I'd like you to know this is a nice area with lots of snow and rainbirds when things cool off elsewhere.Check the winter temperatures at any weather site eg weather.com Lots of homes on the market beween Salton Sea and PalmSprings (AKA Cochella Valley) More of a buyers market as you've probably heardElevation is Sea Level in Indio to abt 500 ft near PalmSprings.

Or do you people go out to eat and stiff the waiter or tip a waiter that has a different table .

Thanks for your tips.

I will recommend it to my friends.My first Question: Is there some kind of formal training to become a REI?

Training of your workers7.

We train Property Locators (we call 'em BirdDogZ) all over the country and feel that having a "mentor" in the business is absolutely a great thing.That being said, I will agree with Ryan's suggestion that you start your learning process now to get a genral grasp of Real Estate Investing so that you can ask quality questions of your mentor.You must also understand that the people that actually wake up everyday and do the business of Creative Real Estate Investing are asked e v e r y d a y to be someone's mentor.