I've been sitting and waiting like a lion in the bush for over 2 years and the only deal that was worth anything was snatched up right away probably by a friend or family of the real estate broker.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Maybe asking a realtor friend of yours if they anyone helps.

thank you everyone for the information, i do have a contractor friend that i reached out to, just waiting back on some info from him also he lives about an hour away from me, so i expect him just to help with some info and pass me onto someone more local for the work.I was actually thinking in the in realm of 10-15k offer just going off cost to replace the main items and still manage to make a profit renting the property out.

I’m sure there are workarounds for that, but trying to buy a foreclosure, in the condition they frequently end up in, is going to be tough with a VA loan. 

Ton's of different things but we like to go into a market knowing this:market rateestablishing a team on the groundjob growth (what companies are coming in and out of the market)landlord friendly state lawscrimepopulationThere are a few more as well.

Any advice on selecting a Realtor when you have multiple friends that are Realtors?  

People have their different opinions and my realtors friends and the people I talk to all have different opinions.

My name is Scott, I'm a San Francisco Bay Area native (born in San Jose, and now live in San Francisco) who recently discovered BP podcasts through a friend and have been addicted ever since.  

I have a friend who buys in that section of Richmond, and her rehabs always appraise for about $30-$50K higher and make great rentals.