I'm glad I did my homework because the reviews were surprisingly awful. 

Not surprised to find you here,  Happy New Year.

We are at a place where probability indicates interest rates only have one direction to go {thought the BoC surprised us twice last year with to 0.15% drops in the overnight rate}.  

PS I wouldn't be surprised if areas close to and within NYC would charge more than $600 per year for MLS access.

I would be patient and wait for the right deal to come along and in the mean time just get out there and talk to everyone you meet about what you want to do, you maybe surprised.

A good deal as a buy and hold, means one where the rent payment covers the loan against it plus taxes, insurance, maintenance, CAPEX and (from my perspective) an "Oh damn" surprise fund.

Just listen and right down the things that make no sense at all, then hop on BP and ask away/search and you will be surprised how quickly you will start putting all of the pieces together.

I am also currently enrolled in the Commercial Real Estate certificate program through UW to learn more about financing, development, etc. of commercial real estate.Overall, my plan is to acquire long term buy and hold residential and/or commercial properties in core areas or emerging corridors.I am excited to get more involved in the real estate community.

The odds of selling fast are low, projections are often wrong, surprise costs cannibalize profits, and permitting processing and costs are getting worse by the year.

Surprisingly many of the deals met the 2% rule before getting them for less anyways.