I guess it ultimately depends on your end goals.

Which option allows you to accomplish your goals? 

Maybe NY is faster than the housing authorities down here, but with rentals going in a day or less on market it is a major hassle and income loss to deal with people who want you to go through the housing authority hoops.

Our short term goal is to start with a couple of flips in order to build finances and the long term goal is to have rental properties.

Once it clears that they know that they are moving toward their goals so waiting around for a "better" deal doesn't make a lot of sense.

Martin Saenz My primary goal as well is to get the borrower Reperforming this I like to buy non performers that have made payments in the past 12 months.

Your ultimate goal is to achieve maximum leverage and be owed enough money to justify taking her to small claims court.

My goal is to eventually buy and hold properties.

There have been a variety of strategies offered up and discussed in great detail on BP threads and forums, mine included, with regards to the strategy one would employ investing in A/B class properties versus C/D class properties, or TK vs DIY, 1% vs COC returns vs IRR vs ROI, etc etc, I think the most important thing I've learned is that each investor should define their goals, financial situation, risk aversion, willingness to be hands on, etc and identify what the best strategy is for them to meet those goals, and DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, and NEVER WAIVER on your metrics of evaluation.

My goal is to buy a duplex (3.5% down FHA Loan) within the next two years.