I am originally from wine country area north of San Francisco and I am fairly new to the real estate world.

Does anyone have any tips on securing your first clients, appropriate rates for the eastern Massachusetts area or any other aspects of the business?

Go onto the clubs website my local favorite is Eastern Massachusetts REIA http://www.EasternMassREIA.com When looking at a club I want to see a variety of activities and educational opportunities.

@Mike Lynch I'm a newby here at BP so I have very little sage advise from a real estate perspective but I've been reading about the water supply in our country and the concerns related to dwindling supplies.

The problem is we are a bit hesitant because well it's Mexico and we've heard all the horror stories (but honestly I've done some research and found much is overblown), my concern is that it won't sell like we think because others will be worried about safety.Also I think we're just nervous about investing so far away from home and out of the country.

Otherwise, just go back an forth.Not sure it is the same all over the country, but I do know that in many states I have done business, banks will not accept an offer on an REO WITHOUT a copy of a check included with the offer made out to "escrow".

I work for Deer Park, and the eastern side of Hamilton County is my target area for buy and hold.

I never need to pay electricity for the tenants in other states/area/country, I think it's unreasonable. 

I also have another business that I run that treats me well and in which I have become one of the top players in the country.

Thanks @Adam Michael AndrewsThey're a real company but they do a ton of complicated outsourcing from other countries and it really makes their processes slow and nonhuman.We did end up going into business for ourselves and it has really been going well.