Is there a book that you recommend?

The blue book and the red book.Gary Keller wrote The Millionaire RE Investor (blue book) and The Millionaire RE Agent(red book).

I want to encourage you to add the following book to your business library:The Richest Man in Babylon by George ClasonIt is short and sweet and gives some great financial principals for success.Happy New Year BP nation.Happy hunting!

Most banks want the properties off the books so they want a price that's going to result in a quick sale.

Your area is a top emerging market.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

In this particular case it would have made sense though.To refresh my memory on the charges I did a quick mock up at the USPS and the charge was outlandish to buy a book of 10 stamps for $4.60 at $1.25.However to buy 4,500 it was only $1.75 so negligible if you are buying a ton like I was talking about.

BP has a book on flipping houses you might find interesting: http://get.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook/

BTW I really enjoyed the book...

Here are some books you might want to check out:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/

Consider Lowell as an opportunity.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.