Calling brokers is a great way to find deals.

I was just quoted from an insurance broker $4,500-$4,800 a year per property because I'm out of state, putting everything into an LLC, and he's insuring each home for 1 million dollars.

Lenders: I've used Middletown Valley Bank and was very happy with George Chaney the VP and their customer service, especially from Lauren.

I was also a real estate broker in Texas for about 30 years too. 

I'm very interested in this areas as well since currently living in Seattle, i could see it would help a lot with getting more affordable (and creative) housing options here.I have good relationship and contacts with a large container manufacturer in Vietnam which builds and customizes the container homes. 

The broker of record here took a course o believe on Long Beach and was very happy.

I am new here, and considering getting my real estate broker license for Washington State. 

Best bet: connect with local investors/lenders/brokers to narrow your focus (what type of asset, what sub-market of the metroplex).

My broker, Keith Sippel has 20+ years experience here in the area.

A trusted mortgage broker told me that if I stay in a my second property for at least one night, I can consider it a secondary home versus investment property and therefore get a better interest rate.