Jim,, we are seeing that here in PDX as well... and I am good with a market that does not have multiple offers.. it makes it very hard for people and agents to make a living if you only have a 1 in 10 shot of buying the house you want..so some stability and slowing down in my mind is a good thing.but what I see on BP is people read the hyperbole articles that misquote things.. and the next thing you know they are worried its 2008 all over again.. which ( and I could be wrong of course) but none of my bankers or those in know in finance world think is a risk.. only risk would be metros losing major employment.. then it affects everyone landlords businesss and prices..

But should you get interested in CREI such as multifamily or self-storage, the game rules become much more favorable, since lenders look at the asset and it’s performance, the syndicator’s funding power and partner quality to increase NOI rather than looking at the individual capital investors.

Then if you played games I would reject you and go on to next buyer.

I want to move ahead quickly in the real estate investment game and I'm just wondering what's the best and fastest way to do this. 

So I am an aspiring real estate investor, but to get my feet in the game I've been looking to House Hack my first home.

They promised to pay back the rent for the entire lease period before they left but haven't paid back yet after multiple follow ups.

Sounds like you are more than a couple steps ahead of the game!

Contractors struggle to return phone calls so I was persistent ins asking my realtor for multiple contractors. 

In other words, gold mine is mostly for builder since they are taking the biggest risk and land owner get the least since they have least skin in the game. 

EDDM is the same except you do get to touch multiple homes in a single mailing.