I don't want to get caught staring at a shiny object.

I would advise you sketch out your objectives (near, mid, & long term) and spend few hundred dollars on an accountant who specializes in real estate to help you select the structure which best fits your needs (near and mid-term), but which can be transformed as necessary to meet your long-term goals.

It doesn't mean these are objectively bad investor markets or that they will never appreciate but just "being larger than 12,000" doesn't guarantee appreciation.

Investment income (including rent) is considered passive income by the CRA and is not eligible for the small business reduction ... as a consequence it is taxed at the full corporate tax rate (which is about the same as your marginal rate).I would find yourself a good accountant and attorney, lay out bullet list of your real estate objectives and the will assist you in choosing the correct ownership structure for today which an morph into your future needs while mitigating your tax exposure in the process.

These guys are right in many ways when they talk about how important your data is in who your targeting in your list, your social skills with the seller when they call you, how to overcome objections with a motivated seller, but getting back to direct mail......it is very effective in my Southern California market.

Lack of transparency.. relying on statements no access to actually checking accounts.. these are just a few of the objections I have heard investors talk about over the years.

If you want to come in with guns loaded and ready to fire in order to overcome underwriting objections and preemptively "prove your innocence," dig for your old Uniform Residential Loan Applications where you signed indicating your "intent" to move into the various properties, when applicable, and then dig up some old bills from a few months after purchase that were mailed to that address, proving that you did indeed do as you said you "intended" to do each and every time.An underwriter with an IQ over 70 will be able to look at an interest rate on your mortgage statement, look at the date the loan was originated on your credit report, and instantly know if you purchased that property as a primary residence or as an investment property. 

PM me to discuss more your goals, objectives, reqrs and can give you some ideas and education.  

objectives for now I have done a lot to becoming a great Real Estate Investor, I feel from my own personal experience.Anyway welcome to BP an I hope you'll find Success, I am no expert however the main theme everywhere you look theirs always a lot to learn but being a action taker is what it is all about. 

If you are looking at this as your opportunity to start investing in real estate, then you have to objectively look at the house as if you were about to buy it.