You will have to spend just about as much energy and time screening and handling the tenants as someone who bought 3 separate SFHs, but for much lower return.

Here in Houston the economy has been on fire for several years, driven by the energy industry and, to a lesser extent, medical.

I’d rather focus my time and energy on learning about REI than studying for an exam. 2) Should I join the Houston Real Estate Investment Association?

Railroad land has been used in the past, and there are companies in the wireless infrastructure field that focus their energy on finding these deals. 

It would serve as my base of business operations and would be built to function energy independently giving us immediate marketing benefits and operating cost savings.How does venture capital work? 

Consider what you have invested in time and energy compared to the risks that the end investor is taking (they have to close, finance, fix up, resell, etc).John Corey

The only other thing I've heard work is to get an energy efficient loan where they will front the costs of a couple of solar panels since you can factor the savings into the equation.So anyone care to share things that they use or could try out?

I agree with MikeOH first step in changing your future is to come to terms with your past and clean up your credit to start out with the right energy, mind set and financial skills so that when you solicit OPM you appear on top of your game and they want to play on your team.

It costs alot of money to upgrade apartments from window units to central heat and air and put storms on windows to conserve energy so that tenants can afford to rent from you.

I always put it into my attics and try and do the walls, too.Siding's more expensive but you'll never have to paint again.Just Don is correct that you won't keep good tenants if their energy bills are too high.On the other hand, those 9-foot ceilings are great in the summer!