@Ali Boone Piggyback on successful people's shoulders--solid advice.

We'll let the tenant shoulder the balance.

If I can rub shoulders with him and his crowd, it's only a matter of time before I get to that level and I have no problem paying to be associated with such a powerful, in the trenches group of investors.

You are in a good place to learn and it seems that you have a good head on your shoulders.

Thankfully, the little birdie on my shoulder (I married her!)

He cared enough to get his wife to help him scream at you, he's got some head on his shoulders ;)Above all, when you talk to store owner, don't get emotional and don't raise your voice.

It also may be why you're getting the cold shoulder when you approach brokers (more on that later).Have you ever considered starting w/ 2-4 plexes and scaling from there?

This is exactly why you have children/nephews etc (older than the one on your shoulders!!)

If I were you, I would ask him to show you what to do and then let you do it.....with him looking over your shoulder.

Since you'll barely be able to scrape up the opening bid, you'll be outbid (yes, you have to pay up immediately after winning the bid, in full, you get no time to come up with the rest of the price in California).As a professional investor, I can afford to take a loss, feel the sting, learn from it, shrug my shoulders, and move on to the next one.