First, the buyers agent is FREE to you, is the expert and will be able to get you a lower price than you would be able to, so why wouldn't you use one?

Not an expert in this field, but one thing I noticed is that realtors who do this well do not just try to focus on the actual listings.

My AC expert tenant in Property #2 came to Property #1 for routine AC maintenance, and he showed off his new gadget a FLIR camera tool that connected to his iPhone.BTW: A FLIR camera sees the world based on the temperature of the surface.

@Mohit Asthana my advice would be:1) Develop an investing criteria and a business plan2) Research the areas that interest you and become an expert in the area, go visit it, learn the demographics etc. 3) Use the process of elimination to narrow down the areas that you're focused4) Build a team to support you on your REI journey.

Scott,Although I am not an expert in the South Florida Market, I know enough to say that finding on-market cash flowing multi families will be tough.

The one thing that makes people fail, is they think that if they read some student housing books and podcasts, they're now an expert in student housing. 

I haven't started yet and am still studying so I will get expert advice from my managing broker...

Also, they do have a great team of real estate experts and researchers looking and studying communities before they open a store. 

You simply have to be with an expert in the area that can prove they are experts and have a foot print in the area of several years of experience.

(Depreciation, mortgage interest, RE taxes, etc) talk with your tax preparer of course because I am no expert.