This advice is like telling someone to buy a lottery ticket because one time someone won $100M.

Instead of spending $8000, I spent closer to $500 for the truck rental, the airplane ticket (on points!) 

If you learn how to attract and partner with private lenders you'll be able to have more deals in the pipeline.The more deals you have "in flight" the better the chance you have to bring one to completion.Just some suggestions...I was asked not to include this as my signature, but for you it seems pertinent.

In grade school I won a ticket to the Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee County Stadium.

I'm looking to understand more about Appraisals, possibly chat with an Appraiser on BP.I'd be happy to take someone out to lunch or even trade guidance for some "Smash Mouth" show tickets haha ;-) Anybody out there know someone who I could chat with?

Granted buy and hold is my ticket to long term goals in life. 

It takes a lot for me to write a ticket.

They have gotten me out of tickets, written letters for me, reviewed docs, and they also answer general legal questions when I have them - instead of paying $150 for a half hour appointment with another attorney.

No real major ticket items. 

I also don't plan on replacing big ticket items for every house, nor do I expect more than 1 or 2 at a time if they do happen.