@Lance Hummel welcome to Bigger Pockets,I see there has been numerous discussions on this topic, if you don't get a reply try the search function.

I think the heavy foliage and numerous fruit trees are a constant food source that keeps them around. 

He has represented numerous clients, both commercial and residential, and real estate law is one of his core services.

Over the last 5 years since getting licensed, I've helped numerous investors analyze deals, acquire property, rehab them, lease them and everything in between and even through to helping them resale, etc. 

Are you taking a war zone within a large metro like Tampa that has phenomenal growth and great employment or more down the middle like a B/C class property in the same class of neighborhood?  

I have watched numerous BP podcasts and read a couple RE books so I have a pretty rudimentary knowledge at the moment.

It's nice to see the War Chest accumulate, but like Joe said it is time-consuming.

MLS listed homes are sitting slightly longer on the market, homes are seeing more price reductions, not as many bidding wars, and fewer offers. 

Got hard money for 10% of acquisition and 5% of rehab (and broker fees :-/ )Rehab time took about 4 monthsContractors and supplies (cabinets were 3 weeks late) pushed my timeline I was aiming for 3 months.Acquisition cost 187k negotiated down from 200k.Rehab cost 100k and finance carry cost will be about 15k.On the market for 387k in order to stoke a bidding war hopefully somewhere north of 400k. 

Plus you can purchase several in a portfolio with differing price points across a numerous geographical locations to mitigate your risk.