Reading about the market articles and books etc ,researching companies..all that takes time , just as an investor would spend time learning about specific markets or studying different strategies, etc.

That's a great deal in most people's books.

It all depends on how old the bank is and what percentages of loans of what asset class they are holding and how much crud they have on the books currently.

If you can read and self-teach, then scouring this forum, blogs, and books is a cheap (Or FREE) education.

Lots of podcasts, books and forums.

Atascadero is a great town too - my wife always stops by Bucket of Books when we are in the area.

Any must read books?

Been reading the books and dragging my feet for years while I established my professional career (love it, not looking to leave, just supplement).So I live in a nice college town where occupancy rates are high and the leases run 12 mos. and I'm ready to get into the game.

I have been wanting to get this going for years, been reading/studying on & off all this time and am now getting things going.After lurking on this forum for some time, I realize that my reading has focused on motivational books with little substance and I am now struggling to come to grips with the cold calculations of the REI experienced here on BP.

I think Charles is in your area, try the phone book, it is tax season,,,:)