Hedge funds were buying housing heavily in 2010/2011/2012 when prices were extremely depressed.  

It's worth it to me because I get to avoid filing a Schedule E which are heavily audited.

Some people heavily promote that idea because it sounds good (aka marketing candy), but they are masking an ugly truth about the high cost of such an approach. 

The realtors that are heavily involved in RE investment attempt to snatch up the best deals for themselves and pass off the thin deals to other, including you.

Things are not always what they look at by the pics and you may have to rely heavily on the agent to make the decision if you should fly out to visit the property.

As a side note, my research indicates that this is an opportunity once in a lifetime to invest in real estate so I'm heavily leveraged.

So I'd still focus most heavily on looking for a distressed situation when buying, and not counting on an improving bottom line helping you out.

I invested in real estate heavily - when I sold real estate in Colorado.  

This is in addition to the closing costs between NWA and you.As you can see, the contract is not even handed and heavily in their favor even when they cannot perform.I'd steer clear of any company that drafts contracts of this sort.

Michael - thanks for the suggestion and I will focus on reaching out to the 'specialists'Seth - agreedBrian - I'm currently heavily invested in residential in St George, so thought it would be good to diversify.