I am excited to find this site and I am ready to soak up as much information as possible and meet some amazing investors that I can learn from, grow with and help as well.

All appear to be valid points I too am a NJ resident and looking to grow my buy and hold investments.

I recommend you read Mike Summey's Weekend Millionaire's Secrets to Investing in Real Estate, for learning how to buy based upon NOI, and grow wealth with buy and hold. 

Welcome to BP @Joel Brockmann....this is a great community to engage with as you nurture and grow your portfolio.  

I am small time right now but looking to grow. 

Many investors in Newark, Paterson JC will purchase a damaged Multi Family, repair it and then Refinance with a Private lender which grows the equity in it from fixing it up. 

Am a new BP member from Lusaka who would like to learn more on real estates since its a growing industry in Zambia.

I'm ready to take the leap stateside to see how big I can grow this but this is entirely different to my previous experience which I'm pushing aside to start my learning anew.I've narrowed down my search from multiple states to Florida with my top 3 major cities of Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville (in order).

I've gotten to the point where I'm seeking to start and grow a real estate portfolio. 

Here are some things about Houston People do not know about.Last year+23,600 jobs (.088%) Growth in Jobs not loss2nd largest exporting port in the world, for every ship that comes in 2 go out2 international airports in Houston2 of the largest airlines in the world Hub'ed out of Houston (Southwest and United Airlines)Largest medical facility in the world (If it was its own city it would be the 16th largest city in the country)Fastest growing population in the countryTexas is the 10th most business tax friendly state in the country and if it were to not charge a franchise tax it would be #1.205,000 Non-Owner occupied homes in Houston1 out of every 4 people in Houston rentsIn a down economy the rental market goes crazy because when these people lose their jobs they become renters which drives up the rent pricesHope this helps clarify the Houston market