Joel Owens here at BP will have some better sources.  

They are super cheap (20 bucks) topic-specific and put on by locals who you can connect with....I am attracted to the more grass roots, DIY kind of ethic. 

I'm going to start my first direct mail campaign shortly and I was looking for some advice. Should I mail to just one specific group of owners like probate, absentee owners or divorcees, or mail to them all. Also, ...

Especially when people hear that we have acquired 5 houses in 3 years and are 26 ;)My parents were very successful and it was a great source of second income especially since my mom was a stay at home mom!

Joan's only source of income is Social Security and a small pension.

Your monthly CFBT will be less as you will have debt service, but your overall cash flow will be greater since you have 4-5 times the revenue sources.  

I always like to go straight to the source to verify information as I understand it.  

In doing your due diligence, be sure to talk to some banks (or other sources of financing) about the loan.

This is a great source to learn and network.

Fannie Mae, HUD and other programs like that can be a great source of properties, especially if you can truthfully qualify as an owner occupant.