Brokers have access to a wide range of lenders and can often find specialized products that align with your needs.Remember, lending policies and products can change, so keeping an eye on the market and regularly reviewing your options is advisable.

Note that I'm not asking this question looking for an excuse to give up on my dreams of real estate investing before I even start - I just want to go into things with my eyes wide open and adjust my strategies if necessary.Thanks in advance for your input guys (and gals!)

If you expect to have a more dynamic need - say you'll be investing nation wide and will need to address State and Local Tax issues in a number of different jurisdictions, or you'll be buying a property in the Caribbean, or you want tax advice on your estate/trust/gift planning, or now you are hiring employees and you want to ensure you are getting help when it comes to tax considerations of your employee benefit plans, or whatever avenue you go - maybe a Regional firm or one specialized in real estate all over will be your best fit over the more mom and pop practitioner.I always disagree with needing to work with an accountant that invests. 

Now I try to keep my eyes wide open and look for opportunities whether it be real estate, stock market, or something else. 

We do have the rural issue, but I have some great cleaners and various service pro's who drive the hour one way out to the lake house.It is pretty much wide open where we are at.

Circle prospecting/Geo leads - this is the best way IMO to cast a wide net in a selected area and begin adding total strangers to your database.

Brokers have access to a wide range of products from various lenders and might be able to find one that offers HELOCs based on future value.4.

Regulations can vary widely, and obtaining the necessary permits can add to your timeline and budget.Utilities and Infrastructure: The cost to install plumbing, electricity, and possibly gas, along with a septic system (if the municipal sewer isn’t available), can be substantial.

When I went in person to the unit, the door was wide open with no one home.

I put "paid" in quotes because we traded our last low income housing rental for it;) I like the Crimeshare buy low sell high concept or renting if you can.. that has to be wide open inventory.I personally spent most of the 90s in Timber..