However, I will say they do offer a wide range of properties across the country and the numbers do look good for the most part. 

We looked at a lot of different angles on it and at this point in our life this works for us.

@Manda GouvionI was lucky enough that, the 1st person I met who was in RE (not an agent) was willing to work with me and she had a wide sphere of people she knew, who had done business with her over the years and trusted her emphatically and were willing to be private investors. 

Almost every opportunity out there that is widely publicized is democratic and therefore speculative.

I use everlasting advertising - everlastsign.com On the branding side, I definitely see the angle...

Just keep learning more and more about the different angles from which people make money in real estate and you'll soon see how you can create your own opportunities.

If you want to learn the passive angle, BP has a great book from Brian Burke called the Hands Off Investor.

The terms are widely varied.

I would only add that to not drive you crazy looking far and wide, ask yourself out of the markets you've narrowed it down to - "Which areas am I most excited about?"

With house prices up nation wide the one exit ramp remaining is you can sell your homes.