I would recommend reading Traction, by Gabriel Weinberghttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591848369/He surveys how a lot of different startups got traction via different channels, and provides a framework for how to generate more traction.  

If you're looking at a 250 unit complex, you're probably going to get a boat load and actual numbers.You need to use market rents to buy, not your forced appreciation that you may obtain from your excellent management skills or your fix it abilities.

  $25K only gets you access to the door the other cost is another $30K to join the inner circle and then at least $2K per use of there product such as web development, accountant etc. 

Excellent post Christian

The primary house is in an excellent location walking distance to shopping, restaurants and metro, so I know that a long term hold may be worth it.

The closest thing in quality and depth would probably be a combination of Corelogic's products: Listsource and RealQuest.

As I was driving home from work tonight listening to Bigger Pockets Podcast 143 (which was excellent if you haven't listened yet) @Brandon Turner brought up a very interesting article that just came out on Fortune.com regarding Wall Street's housing bet not paying off.

., for trash removal, elevator replacement, roof repair) the investors get a great price and excellent performance.  

I appreciate the warm welcome.Thanks Sam for the excellent advice, I knew about the occupancy status but I wasn't sure about how the banks' viewpoint is on the matter, valuable tip there.

Scott has an excellent track record for ferreting out the financials for potential deals.