Case in point, LA lost 103 bases point from the peak in 2008 till it hit a bottom in 2009, it then gained 10 bases points from 2009 till late 2010.. only to lose another 18 points over the following 2 year period, that ended in 2012.

While not my target should I want to sit and start siphoning off my cashflow ['up and running maintenance mode'] I am thinking a third property would speed up the flow of my cashflow to fill my reserves even higher even quicker and help make my portfolio even more buoyant [3 properties with one vacant is 66% occupancy vs. 2 is 50/50 or 1 being 100/0].Didn't know if people had a rule of thumb they follow or like [ie. after 75% of target reserve fund goals are met the next investment can be made.]

Also, if anybody has any tips on things i can do, learn, work on, to speed up the learning process and impress my new boss?  

I get the feeling we are in the peak of a market.

You should review the applications in the order they are received without even peaking at the others until you have finished and made a decision on the first based on your written down criteria, otherwise you can run afoul of the fair housing laws.

Nashville has been reaching a peak for a while now.

Visio Lending, Peak Asset, Lima One are all lowering their requirements, including min. loan amount, but have other stipulations that are not very desirable like pre-pay penalties, high fees (which makes the APR too high), etc.  

Everyone says 'we are at a peak in the market' & 'there are few deals to be had'.I am able to purchase 2-3 homes.

@Drew Pakyou just need to keep track and follow the supply of homes for sale in sacramento county to determine if we have hit a peak in values.

These prices are approaching a peak I believe.