@Victoria WintersNormally we would start out with:  We are looking to buy a property in your area and your house caught our eye.  

Catch-22.  

It was a good way to go because I was there managing the park and keeping an eye on the home I sold.

Because of this site, my eyes are opening to endless possibilities of REI, and toward the proverbial financial freedom.

Also you'll need money for to support the house untill you can catch up with the year expenses owning the house.

@Jim Viens Good catch, I was thinking divorced in my mind.

I would like to purchase this before the auction opens...before more eyes are attracted to the home.Thanks, Patrick L.

By doing it yourself, you are much closer to mastery (I think the final test of mastery is teaching someone else) and I think falls somewhere in line with the the old "catch a man a fish..." lesson. 

And you get the benefit of having over 100 past ones to catch up on.Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

But again, I'm still learning myself.I'm ready to buy my 2nd property and I'm keeping my eye out here in the Fresno/Clovis areas for a good deal, but I'm also checking out of state and deciding which path seems right for me.