You just have to be able to evaluate the property the location, check your numbers for what you want to do with the property and make your own choice.

As a Real Estate Investor, your job is to make an appointment, and go through all of the sellers' choices after you walk through the house.If there is little equity/pretty house, you can rent it out, sell on sub2, wrap, lease option, etc.If there is mid equity/pretty house, you can list it, sub2 and a note, lease purchase, wrap, lease option assignment, sandwich lease, master lease, etc.If it is free and clear/pretty house, installment sale, list it, lease purchase, wrap, lease option assignment, sandwich lease, master lease, etc.If it is a "mild rehab", see about a JV with the seller, give the seller a note for equity no payments for 4 months, use private money for rehab, get on title with a sub2 or wrap, then sell it and pay off the seller and the private lender, earn 10% for a JV fee.See https://vimeo.com/131984718

I had a fire last year and was lucky to have taken a second with my credit union as the first mortgage with a bank wanted to sign over the insurance check to the main contractor who was ultimately only doing 40% of the work and I was having the rest done by my contractor's or choice or myself.

At that point you can go to a traditional bank and refinance.  

Its a hot sellers market out there so its hard to find good properties via the traditional mls. 

Hey @Tim Wilkinson,It looks like you've received some good feedback on this one from @Aaron Montague, @Shaun Reilly, @Brian Gibbons, @Joe Kling and @Priscilla Z..The 70% rule ensures you have some margin if you're doing a traditional flip in an average price range.

DeSoto is a great choice.  

Any background on the Tokyo market choice?

Just submitted my first written offer for a non traditional owner finance purchase. 

These earnings can be used towards buying another investment property, and then another, and another, and then a home somewhere in between these roll up acquisitions.Of course there are personal wants and desires in making this choice to buy an investment property 1st Vs a home for your family.