And I went just above your net worth goal.Given that you have a pretty good head start, I'd bet just about anything you can double your numbers and thats probably where you are going to end up when you're 45..... 

I bet you can find a handyman that could give you something to break free of the dreaded Lowes/HomeDepot style.

Sold it for $38K after renting for a year and a half.From my understanfing, 1% is the bare minimum unless you're in So Cal or NY betting on appreciation. 

While I am sure it wasn't very funny to you at the time, I'd bet that a story about the yard of your rental being dug up in order to facilitate a mud wrestling showdown has to be a crowd favorite at parties.I am curious, though; did you make any attempt to recover the damages done to your property? 

Work with investors who have a great deal of experience and trust-worthy.

Not that it would necessarily save me money, but it would be nice to have two of the most trust worthy people I know on the front lines with me and in the area where my properties will be since I'll remain living in California.

I can't speak for everyone here but I would bet a months rent that most of us investors have read numerous books on multiple investing strategies for real estate.

@Robert Shaw I think I would have a bit more than the $135K, I think $175K is a safe bet, but I'm not trying to do a full service restaurant.

Often people are searching for authenticity and trustworthiness in a business transaction.Sometimes that trust is in a brand.

If you're doing your first mailing, your best bet is *not* to buy a list unless you are *not* in a competitive area, got cash to burn, and just wanna get started as quickly as possible.