They make their money off of real estate agents, but real estate agents are the worst people to make money off because they are highly unreliable and in and out of the business when the market changes.Their target should be the consumer with higher levels that they can subscribe too for data, since Zillow is linked to the MLS now which makes their data somewhere more reliable.

Focus on long-term rentals in affordable markets with reliable cash flow, and steer clear of high-cost flips, lower-class properties, or overleveraging in areas that rely solely on appreciation.Good luck!

I've stuck with the tried and true reasons I've heard to keep my search ranking high (quality photos, stellar reviews, updates to my listing) and that helps but in slow season, when I'm not willing to cut my rates as much as some of my competitors, it can be a ghost town.  

Now, it took me many years and a lot of real estate trading to get to this place with my bank, but that is why I highly recommend that RE investors work hard and finding and nurturing a local banking relationship.

Hey Andrew, welcome to the Forums.That’s awesome you’ve been learning about real estate since high school—starting early will really pay off.

Real estate has been a passion of mine for years, even while working in the high-tech industry.Together with my partners, we’re constantly on the lookout for our next exciting real estate adventure.

When we present a Subto for investors to buy, it has to have enough meat on the bone, all said and done, that the investor will still have equity and the property will cash flow.For instance, I have one I'm working right now, that has a high entry, because the seller wants some cash out to himself, but even with that, the buyer will wind up with $50,000 in equity.

Hard money and private investing are both ways to finance flips, but they work a little differently.Hard money loans are typically from companies or private lenders that specialize in short-term, high-interest loans.

I would highly recommend moving your tenants to a PM software where you can screen tenants, collect rent, etc. 

I highly recommend consulting with a CPA or tax professional to ensure you're using the best strategy for your situation.Good luck!