The best way is to learn by doing take the action and the rest will come naturally 

What I'm referring to is natural appreciation.What part of Southern California are you looking?

I think it’s human nature to want to sympathize but without a income your setting yourself up from a disaster.

@Daric MyersI try to look at these situations with typical human nature in mind.

Those periods were often buying opportunities, not signals of bad things ahead.Fear of getting started is natural.

I've only invested long distance - thats as natural to me as breathing, personally.

Landlords that design  and prep to their personal standards, add natural stone counters, SS appliances are all wasting their money unless it is a B+ or higher class.You may be tired and worn down but you did it.

The information I have is all about buying through a broker/agent and I am unsure about the nature of off-market FSBO.  

I am watching the activity in the tax sale in Shelby County and aside from the general nature of the lots available I notice a definite lack of activity.

To recap, a modern finished-in-place oak floor done by a quality crew will typically be light-colored natural (or in a few cases stained espresso-dark very evenly), and then finished in high-gloss water-based poly.