I'm starting a yellow letter campaign and tend to be thorough in asking every question so I know the edges of the process which includes putting houses under contract with occupant sellers, a new step for me.But I disagree with your comment (above my question) suggesting that you shouldn't put a house under contract if you aren't sure you can sell it...

The education happens at every step, getting money, choosing a property, networking locally, finding contractors and finding good tenants.

I have a 2 family very close to downtown Springfield for 7 yrs or so , a good friend has 2 duplexes and triple decker. so I know the area and if you want an uphill battle Springfield is the place to goWhen looking at any area the local economy and infrastructure should be considered (especially for a buy and hold) , and I quote Ann "perpetual state of recession" no one seems to ever have consistent cash flow .There are areas but you want to be very familiar with these areas and even there can be rough one way or the otherjust my two centsI have some interest in the area because I know it somewhat but Worcester is definite step up and has my eye

Thanks Vanessa & BillI think my of my first steps is to find a local Broker who has been in the business for a while and who is a real estate investors locally.

Just trying to figure out the next step...right now it is primarily my husband and I and we have a realtor, who is not in our biz,but assists us with finding properties.

But the way that a lot of wholesaler/Bird dogs get around this is by taking the process a step further and getting the property under contract.

Taking baby steps now : )However, not sure what the expenses are but I know they made a profit.

Get the deal before it hits MLS or the steps to REO. 2014 will be alot of out bound marketing and taking alot of cell phone calls looking for deals.

You have a good goal statement work out the steps to achieve it.

What does it look like (step by step)?