If going this route, it's mostly a numbers game.

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.You mentioned an interest in flips, house rentals of SFH and duplexes so I added links on those niches.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/07/19/how-to-buy-a-duplex/ (guide to buying a duplex) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.You indicated a strong interest in wholesaling and as such I added a guide below to get you engaged.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/3...http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

CL was the only real game in town for a long time, but the usability has always been pretty crappy (the previously-mentioned flood of listings for a single apartment, lack of ability to search in more specific areas, etc.) 

You also mentioned an interest in buy and hold as well as flips and I added a couple links for those niches.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

It is a numbers game and you have to play it often to find that one deal out of 50 that will be an equity packed transaction.You need to find an agent that can trust that you are not just using them. 

Its all about YOUR risk vs. reward tolerance, and personal goals.I personally would say unless you have already amassed some equity and cash reserves sell now and go  do the same thing again then you will have $70k then again and have  $105k and so on...keep doing what you know how to do until you have enough cash reserves to get into the long term buy and hold game and can afford to weather any storm that may come along.Good luck.

I have been dabbling in real estate since 2004 and I am ready to up my game!

Hey All,I'm new at the flipping game and need advice on estimating rehab costs with REOs.  

If you're interested in purchasing your first property but you're worried about the bubble then you have 2 choices:Stay out of the game because you won't be able to sleep @ night, worrying about whether the property you just purchased is going to loose all it's value tomorrowDevelop a strategy to purchase distressed properties.