., spend a couple hundred bucks on a title search.  

My advice would be to find a wholesaler that's looking to hire/train a new person or a wholesaler that will let you bird-dog deals for them as a starting point before running off and spending money to start a wholesaling business.I don't mean to throw a wet blanket on your dreams and plans.  

More properties mean I have to spend less time with my family.

I don't want to ask for a copy of workers comp policy and spend time reviewing and scruitinizing it every time I have work or services provided by a small contractor.At one of my traditional rentals I actually have the kid next door cut the grass.

I strongly suggest that you spend some time learning at least the basics before jumping in.

If you're in a growing market, you shouldn't have any qualms about raising rent 3% to 4% every year.Also, as far as wear/tear repairs ago, if you are going to be spending 15% to 20% of yearly rental rate on home improvements, it just means you are responsibly taking care of your asset.

His hourly rate is probably in the range of $300-$500, yet he spends his weekends painting to save a couple hundred bucks.

This makes it very secure [more than wall street] for them.All of my lenders enjoy strong double digit annual returns and only spend a few hours a year [making wire transfers] to realize this profit.Yes, I am biased when it comes to RE or Wall Street - but ponder this and you'll see why:  We all know bankers are some of the most penny pinching individuals on the planet, right?  

That was a good time for them, but when you spend $1000/mo on advertising and only make $600/mo on commissions, you won't last long.

Hey Bay Area investors, I've been spending the last couple weekends driving around Oakland and going to open houses.