There aren't many areas of Tacoma that aren't a 10 minute drive from Hilltop.But, from a longer term REI standpoint, it doesn't seem to me that Tacoma is poised to explode - it's an older city and was built out to within an inch of its life long ago.

I would also like to hear stories from anyone who wants to share about how they got started, or any kind of advice anyone can offer.As for me I graduated with a BA in Theater and after graduating I realized it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Here's a link where @Chris Martinposted about reserves as the lenders want to see them funded, and where I gave some links to projecting useful life of various systems to facilitate establishing reserves:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/867...

I've lived in CA all my life and  prices have been in a perpetual out of control state with a few exceptions over the years.

I like the fact that I always have an income and health insurance for me and my family no matter what happens in my real estate life.

I came across 'rich dad poor dad', as it seems most of us have and decided I wanted more out of life.

I recently left my corporate America job to pursue my passion for real estate.I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and was surrounded by real estate investing my entire life.  

Also I was told that in pa a FHA has to be owner occupied for the life of the loan by a mortgage broker when I purchase.

If you are young, work a 9 to 5 job, are unhappy in that job, and real estate interests you then Rich Dad Poor Dad will change your life. 

In a prior life I syndicated a couple development deals where one of the investors formed an LLC that was then syndicated to other smaller investors.