Frequently the title/settlement agent is owned or affiliated with one of the parties in the transaction i.e. the seller (particularly if it's an REO), the real estate agent, the attorney, the lender or the buyer. 

Contact a variety of apartment syndicators - have them send your their investment summaries, attend their webinar presentations - not with the intent of investing now but rather increasing knowledge etc.Once you feel knowledgeable about the space, start actively looking for deals in the markets you like with operators you trust.As @Greg Scott notes, syndication deals do offer leverage.I believe strongly in diversification.With $250,000, I would look to make five different $50,000 investments.

I see 3-4 family's going for 5-10% above asking cash pretty frequently in Cincinnati off the MLS.Big companies are coming in and buying up 30-50 properties in a couple months, definitely doesn't seem sustainable and if the economy picks up I could see them all selling to put their money elsewhere for better returns.Even off market or soon to be on market don't want to sell or know they can get top dollar with little effort.im definitely not giving up but I can't wait for the sale to start or even a more balanced market.

And there are a million other investments.Hopefully, you will have a variety of investments throughout your life.

:This doesn’t happen in Columbus it happens frequently enough in my area that ive figured out exactly how to word the 311 request so the city will bring a new one without trying to get me to pay $120 or whatever the replacement is. anecdotally, its either trashy people with too much trash at their own house feeling entitled to someone elses trash can, thieves using them to cart stolen stuff around, or sometimes the trash truck just eats them.

The numbers can work really nicely on a proforma, but my experience has been that turnover is higher, expenses are greater, and headaches are more frequent.

@Duriel TaylorI’m a little hesitant to buy a house in FL bc of frequent bad weather.

In addition to these deductions, you may also want to calculate your mileage deduction, if you frequent the property often for maintenance.Some areas of caution, if you or family members use your property for more then 14 days or 10% of rented days throughout the year, this will limit some of your rental losses.

It seems as though my electric bill for this new pool cabin with the variable speed pump seems to be operating lower so far (but that could be a variety of factors to help contribute). 

@Anthony Stephenson As an owner with multiple rentals and a frequent target of investors and wholesalers, I will share my personal view on these contact attempts in no particular order.