I've listened to tons of BP podcasts in the last few weeks, probably 40+ hours while I walk my dog each day :) And I've pored over the Beginner's Guide as well as several books in @Brandon Turner's recommended list - "Long Distance Real Estate Investing" by @David Greene is probably my favorite.

We ultimately spent a week researching LOCAL deals again... and guess what, we closed a duplex last Friday, marketed the vacant unit while under contract and that unit was signed this past Monday as well.

I think I've grown a spare backbone over the last 5 years.  

I have spent the last 2 years studying, reading, listening to podcasts, and taking advice from this forum and other investors.

I read IRA pub 523 and my takeaway is that the I do not qualify for the primary residence exception (the '2 years living there in last 5 years' clause) because I didn't live there for 2 years total at any point.

However, every bank is turning me away since I am self employed and my last two years of tax returns don't show for much because I was in college.I only need 60-65% LTV on the property to pay off this high personal loan and be able to cash flow.With the 5 year, 18%  personal loan, I am cash flowing NEGATIVE $22/mo.

@Jay HinrichsMost of the new MF construction in the Burgh these last few years has been out-of-state money chasing the elusive tech-educated Millennial who's gainfully employed but too stupid to buy a house.

I invested with ABC Capital last year on two properties, and it has been an absolute nightmare!

If you check out my post about probate lists, it was pretty much reposting that with an update on results over the course of the last year and growing to 25+ deals/month with the information given in the post.It had very little to do with promoting my products, and a lot to do with a valuable topic.

Thanks @Christopher Winkler that's the picture that was slowly forming in my head but that last part about signing a quit claim deed in advance was the missing piece.