In these cases, the specific sector was over-inflated and collapsed as faulty - maybe even fraudulent financial vehicles and/or practices were introduced to suck even more money out of the sector as it heated up.Just because the dot com sector eventually swallowed reality and fixed its fundamentals on value products/services, the energy sector resolved in the courts, and the housing sector flushed out its overly speculative practices (many of which were really bank-driven, primarily as loans issued to folks who had no business buying housing - and toxic mortgage packages created with weird names and no vehicle history to attract investments thus made with no due diligence and no 3rd party oversight - which took unprecedented government intervention and bailout across many sectors to fix), doesn't mean that the next sector downturn trigger doesn't lurk out there.What some call creativity or innovation is really just greed masked in packages so new and weird that due diligence is nearly impossible.  

(I'm a licensed agent and a wholesaler) I know there is an attraction to wholesaling for those new to real estate, because of the common myth that you don't need capital to get started.

But I do want to invest in real estate, and I'm eager to learn from those willing to offer advice.The most attractive option we've got currently involves a family member.

@Jason Branch,You'll also want to learn how to attract and engage private lenders.Ideally, you want none of your own personal cash or credit in a deal - it should stand alone on its own merit.

Very attractive way to enter the world of investing and also build further resources for your next investment.

Hello BP community,I've come across a situation, and I'd love any advice or ideas on how to handle it...I'm looking at purchasing a blighted property, completely run down, attracts bad elements etc.  

I don't like yard-signs because it just attracts calls from nosey neighbors. 

I see now a lot of fresh inventory hit the market, but anything attractive sells within days.

I'm actually an advocate for raising dues a little every year as it allows the HOA to maintain the property in an attractive manner to bring in excellent tenants.  

When I first started lurking on BP I was thinking that an attorney would be an attractive partner for some people, but I am getting the impression that most people around here view their attorneys--if they have one at all--as a line item expense on their budget and not an integral part of their operations.