HOAs read the fine print and read again 2 to 3x times a few common things to look out for with condos in general:*Are you allowed to rent it out right away in some cases they prevent for a duration of time*How are repairs handled*The HOA is it run with the feel of a community or like an iron fist dictatorship*HOA fees have they been relatively stable or consistently climbing*Any sign of new construction that could compete with your investment*Any new business development in the works say a strip mall etc that could drive up demand for your potential unit post purchaseThe deciding factor is what you are comfortable with after all the facts are laid out.

I had a warranty company in the first years on an out of state property but the consistency of poor service and excessive fees was ridiculous.  

Savings would only be 3% and not 6%.And if the buyer's agent is a savvy negotiator, he'll get more out of you.Get a hungry agent on your side and feed them!

Repeat clients, and referrals come from consistently performing above and beyond for your existing clients.  

Depending on how bearish or bullish you feel about oil over the next 5 years, I think that will determine whether Texas continues to see large, dramatic growth, or slower, consistent growth. 

My wife will be doing real estate full time in a few weeks, so we hope to start submitting more consistent offers on MLS properties as well.

Thus it is much more difficult to beat the average there on a consistent basis.

I am a big fan of "A" type properties as I have a bunch of these in my own portfolio; on paper these returns do not look as good, but in the long run, these properties consistently perform better then the Pro Forma.  

I would not have the deal without them and I am still going to hit my goals, so this is the wrong thing to focus on.My opinion is that if a wholesaler is consistently marketing properties above retail, they won't be around for long.  

As you said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you don't want to get into an argument about it on your facebook feed.