I'm a professional poker player but I file as a professional gambler for tax purposes - more write-offs.

Don't think there is no competition in small towns.Larger cities will have more people involved in RE, the competition may be more sophisticated, bigger players, more inventory but more feeding off it too.Smaller towns usually have slower turn over, a property that's difficult to sell is easier to buy.

Met them all through my day job and one is a big time player that actually started me on this journey of knowledge.

Learned a few new vocabulary terms I'd never heard of and saw some of the bigger players in the local market.

The reasons I prefer individuals are:- I usually have their cell phone number, so much easier to get a hold of then trying to call an office line and leaving a voicemail- Simple statements, usually in Word or Excel and just simply say the income and expenses and total deposited- Way less players in the game, meaning the one guy handles a whole situation.

I got back into HR at Hilton Worldwide and am selling real estate part-time.

The volume players who need to make 8% on their money, not the guy doing one rehab at a time with hard money who expects to make 15% on every deal.

She can probably help introduce you to other resources and players to help get you started.Good luck - Chris

Just learn who the players of the game are and how to use them.

You will also quickly find out who all the serious players are and the guys who just have in their hand in the pot in between.