There is a mass exodus of sorts and hardly any new blood coming in as a result.

The old saying about getting blood from a turnip comes to mind.In my experience it's better to just cut your losses and move on.

When was the last time you were successful in getting blood out of a stone?

Missed the train in NYC, too rich for my blood, but upstate still deals.

Indeed the constant problems with bad tenants and shonky contractors is enough to give anyone high blood pressure.Personally I started buying real estate like I was playing a game of monopoly.

I was just window shopping until it was in my blood. 

You can quit and go back to your safe job, or you can pick yourself up, wipe off the blood and continue forward.

You will be in awe of what took blood, sweat, tears, years and dollars to produce.  

If you find a good deal, then like sharks smelling blood in the water, there are many many cash buying investors in the 5 boroughs.

Make sure you have a 3.5% down payment ready (this can even come from a gift from a person related by blood or marriage), decent credit (no tax unpaid tax liens, judgments, etc.), and three accounts with a 12 month history.