So I kicked the habit - I stopped going to seminars and started to apply some of those ideas that were preached by speakers who were experts at extracting fees from me.I started to attend real estate auctions, studying the process - watching others make a lot of money - I decided to get a credit line - increase my credit card limits and started looking for properties (cheap- ugly buildings) in the neighborhood where real estate auctions were taking place - my primary goal at this time was to learn the market in the area where I wanted to control real estate - I would look at 50-60 houses (but made no offers - when agents would try to qualify me I just said "I have a small inheritance and will not need financing) - I kept a journal of the price per square foot,  comparing properties, and all comments made by sellers and agents (this helped me to find the seller dominate selling motive),  that was helpful - but I soon discovered that I was just looking for real estate in the conventional way  - I needed to do something else - so I started to look for owners of real estate who had problems (I applied Power Prospecting formulas) and at the same time studying creative real estate techniques from the old masters in the industry - became a member of the Washington Real Estate Exchange, hosted a real estate investor club and started to give mini creative financing seminars  while networking with those I wanted to emulate. 

Finding vacant land in LA will be tough and you will still need access to water and power once you get it.

I've heard of folks setting up the "budget" payments through their power and gas company so you pay the same price every month and then you either pay in at the end of the year or they refund money back to you.

There is a lot of power in that.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”James Watkins

You may find it more prudent to use a real estate power of attorney for each property which the employee can present to the closing agent.

Hi @Tory Kelliher , I am fairly new to RE investing as well and I have found BP incredibly helpful in providing online training, helpful references and in general a very powerful network to share ideas or just read and learn of creative methods other members have adopted to be successful in their market. 

I was quoted several thousand dollars to re-wire the property 'split' the power, so I didn't really want to spend the cash.

I'm a newbie and on the same boat.

All of these may not be triggers for you and me but it may be triggers for other investors.The strategy you had in place is not working -triggerThere were additional costs that the previous owner did not reveal to you -triggerIf you got ripped off by people -triggerIf you partnered with someone and you do not get along or can't agree on nothing - triggerOne of the big employers in the area filed bankruptcy -triggerOne of the big employers in the area decides to move to another city or state -triggerhome owners association is similar to Hitler's gestapo -triggertenants association is unreasonable and troublesomeIf you see another deal that you like better -triggeryou feel the market is going to change -triggerIf the weather changes and suddenly you find that your area is not the same ie drought or flood or mud slide -trigger Insurance increases because of weather change -triggerfound out that the land is contaminated - triggeryou are tired of dealing with the property -triggertenants not paying rent -triggeryou took on more than you can handle -triggerproperty taxes went up -triggergangs in the neighborhood -triggerfamily issues change your priority and you simply cant handle it no more -triggeryour tax abatement has expired - triggertransportation has discontinued in the area -triggerlegislation to put in a new transportation station has been vetoed or approved -triggerthe team (ex contractors, project managers, etc) you tried to put together doesn't work out- triggerillegal activity found on the premises -triggertenants tell you place is haunted and you know someone died on property -triggerdemonic neighborsabundance of pests -triggersink hole formed - triggercess pool discovered -triggerwater contaminationpopulation changeschools accredation changesschools shut downtenants or their family starts shooting at each other or youwrong type of business sets up shop near your property, or they are too close or your comfort. ie gas station or drug dealer or prostitution or cemetery or factorywhatever does not float your boat -trigger