I think you have to be apart of the community to fully understand it and develop your strategy from there.

The current Rental/Lease Application process and fee is a recent development, it wasn't always a requirement.

Analyze the local safety, political, and economic circumstances and get a feel of long term general (urban, industrial, infrastructural) development.

Develope a good relationship that benefits both you and the agent and you will find an agent you can trust.  

I'm digging the advice and support in this thread.So basically, I have a few options that revolve around developing either an S Corp or LLC...- Develop said entity in the state where I'm investing-OR- - Develop said entity in the most tax favorable state of one of my partnersI'm assuming the former is probably more along the lines of what I want to do.

I currently have cash to buy some properties but am try to figure out the best way to start to develop credit for a new LLC.  

But network until you find the realtor that is looking to develop a business relationship long term.All the best!

Next step is asking the right questions to identify the sellers problem to see if you can provide them with a solution. 

If you don't already have one, develop a relationship with a good broker and get real comps and CMA's and learn how to interpret them.

I really have been pleasantly surprised by a lead that came from my Craigslist ads that has developed into a huge deal.I have a family that was losing there farm to foreclosure who contacted me asking if I could buy there farm and allow them to stay there.