-Previous experience as a broker's assistant doing high volume mid-low end residential in Southern California.

You've been through alot, as I have and you're still hanging in there, that speaks volumes.

Those schools can be a tough business as lots of volume needed with students,testings, and selling gear,shirts etc.

If you want to make 50k or 200k you can half or double the volume.

I can't figure out how to paste in a picture, but I have a diagram that I think shows the RE cycle pretty well.Phase 1 - Volume Up, Price Up - H2'08 though 2009Phase 2 - Volume Flat, Price Up - 2010 through 2012Phase 3 - Volume Down, Price Up - 2013 through 2014Phase 4 - Volume Down, Price Flat - 2015 through ???

It is another if you plan on doing volume. 

There do seem to be volume discounts on PM fees (e.g. 1% discount after 5 properties under management), and the PM side of the turnkey operator is eager to keep clients happy to encourage more property purchases.

Most obvious is just hunt the MLS like crazy --its a volume game.

If you like to cash flow $100/door on a small property don't compromise when evaluating a larger one and cash flow $50/door due to volume.

I find that by the time I am reading threads questions have already been thoroughly answered, which speaks volumes for the community.