what are your favorite techniques for forced appreciation, and what do you look for when walking through a building to know if its a good candidate?

In my opinion, the absolute best technique for someone who doesn't have 20% to throw down on a non-owner occupied property, is to house hack.

It sounds like you didn't do your research or you would have forseen this coming (airbnb is extremely month to month, and december is known for high traffic since its a holiday month for many people)I'd recommend you 1. do some actual research on your market, see which months do better than others so you have better expectations.2. post your listing here so we can offer tailored, targeted advice3.

I admittedly still feel somewhat like that, but that's only because I feel like I need to get back to my books and give myself a refresher on things such as terminology and analysis techniques. 

This is a more *complex* technique but anybody can be taught how to do it.

Wholesalers can, from time to time have unique products tailored specifically for investors like you.

Would love to know other techniques.  

@Abdul Rahman There are so many variables to pulling a list and people have many different techniques and criteria depending on their area and their target market etc.

I had posted about this in the "Starting Out" sub-form but I feel like there will be more experienced folks in here that could really lend some advice on this topic.While having an entire office, even at home, when you are just starting out is obviously a little over the top, what are some really useful habits, techniques, accessories / supplies, and apps/software that some of you more experienced investors used at the beginning and maybe even still use now that could be helpful for those of us just getting started? 

There are many techniques to use Steve, most of which I learned by listening to the BP podcasts. e.g.- Putting your first few properties under your name, then putting the next few properties under your partner's name (wife/girlfriend/etc)- Talking to small credit unions in your area and convincing them to create a HELOC for you that you will then use to fund your next N number of deals (you can rinse and repeat this, and you will probably need to talk to MANY small credit unions before you find one willing to work with you.