Good or bad for the City of Philadelphia and more specifically the real estate market?

After 3 - 5 years I would plan to either sell the house or hold onto the property and rent it out long term.

I've developed a strong interest in real estate and am eager to learn more about how I can leverage this field to potentially shorten my path to retirement.

Most advice I've heard is just to approach them after the sale, which in my mind is too late.  

What makes bridge loans a smart choice for real estate investors?

I prefer my method because with the $800/month estimate you might buy a property believing its a great deal, BUT sell it after several years having made negative cash-flow.

After that, run the background and credit check, verify their income by reviewing the financial documents they provide, and contact their employer to confirm their employment.

But, when it comes time to put the deal together and pull the trigger: work with a seasoned real estate attorney with experience in structuring seller carry deals and writing thorough docs that cover your interests, especially with the "what ifs?"

I am wondering if everything in the Ultimate Beginner's Guide and other real estate books for beginners that were written a decade or more ago still completely apply to nowadays investing.

After than is know you'll have an idea of the total amount of capital you'll be able to deploy into a new project.