The largest national intermediary is only going to be as good as the representative assigned to you.  

I'm a former attorney with one of the largest billboard companies in the biz and am personally a big fan of investing in the industry now that I am out of it and legally allowed to.

Can't forget that.Matt@ Matt Hoyt   California definitely has its upsides, and I think the largest hurdle to overcome is simply getting started.  

The more rural areas are in the lower end.Property taxes are by far our largest expense... 

I lived my entire life in AZ, but moved to OR 2 months ago and recently became passionate about investing in real estate.A quick story about my prior 'investment' (or rather lack thereof):About 4 years ago I made the largest purchase of my life- I bought a 3000sq house.

If your house is your largest asset, you're in trouble.I'd buy what would be a good rental. 

My group is the largest provider of turn-key inventory in Birmingham and we have many investors both domestic and internationally who come to Birmingham to see the operation.

Ernst & Young (largest accounting firm in the world), Jones Day (largest law firm in the world), Progressive and a few national banks have their headquarters in the city or its surrounding suburbs.

I'm the VP of the largest non-profit REIA in the country (Central Florida Realty Investors Association in Orlando, FL).  

Many many crimes go unreported as they victim knows it will do no good to report the crime.The largest local publication has this interactive map by neighborhood:http://crime.chicagotribune.com/My personal motto is, if I am not willing to go to an area after dark, I am not sending my money there either!