I've been doing a lot of research and keep coming up to this site so figured I might as well sign up since I spend so much time read the post.

I was in Maryland a year ago visiting some extended family.

People poo poo the guru shows, but you know if you spend a few hundred bucks and attend and pick up 1 item to help you close a deal in real estate, what is that worth, at least 5 to 10x the cost?

If the numbers still work based on double the estimate, then bring it to me.And for me personally, a wholesaler should be able to figure out exactly what I rehab on my properties and exactly what I tend to spend (it's all on my website).

heather, so sorry this happened to you. this was very unselfish of you to post your unfortunate loss. it wakes up investors eyes & maybe even scare some away.having reserves is very important. a lot of peeps will just blow the $ every month to cover their personal spending. throughout this post you have definitely listed the realities of landlording. maybe you could start a LL reality show & gain back your loss that way?

With the advice I received I decided to penny pitch, go on a diet (saves on food) and basically buckle down on my spending so that I would be able to purchase all cash at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013.

Be sure to spend time reading the forums and blogs -- there's a ton of great content to help you with your budding real estate investing career.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/home-buyers-spending-more-home-prices-rising/nSSbM/This is a property I rehabbed and sold here in Charlotte with purchase to close in about 6 months and a week.

For one, the sellers are under contract and you do not want to see what will happen if the realtor figures out you stole their higher spending buyer.Second, why would an investor that has access to the MLS pay you more for the property when he/she could just buy it straight from the listing agent?

I never had issue like this with other homes so I am so disappointed by this incident.When home owners has one tiny violation they can spend hours to send letter and rush homeowners yet when it is their turn, this is what they do.