He only does tax for my husband's business and my income tax consultant occasionally.

Once I reached my number in cash flow I would start paying down some of these houses, but I still would buy the occasional house if it met my criteria.  5 houses with no mortgage would be more than enough for cash flow.  10 houses if they still had a mortgage. 

I am familiar of companies who specialize in tax strategy planning around the USA but I’m a firm believer in relationships built from occasional in person meetings and ‘being local’.

Bulk REO buyers post occasionally, but don't see much of actual employees/principals of distressed asset funds, hedge funds, etc. that truly move volume on a bank-direct basis.

I wish you lots of success and I hope you don't mind the occasional question from me ^^

I *always* contract with the intention to buy, but occasionally (often during inspection) it becomes obvious the property might be a better fit for my buddy Jim, who is an electrician, or Bob, who is a plumber, or Dave, who is a GC (all of whom flip houses on the side).

There’s some peace of mind knowing that you can occasionally do some things yourself if you want to.

Occasionally a turnkey rental opportunity presents itself, but around here the name of the game tends to be either Househacking or Value Add (aka Rehabs)

Occasionally, they will offer "sponsorships", whereby they will email your message to their list of agents.

Having a little nicer unit than the competition IS the difference.Sure, you will still occasionally get the wool pulled over your eyes, and sometimes a tenant will have a true, legitimate, life changing event that affects them, but, Big Picture, my experience has consistently been that a complete tenant turnover, on average, takes three years, and if you have taken the proper steps, you should have a VERY low number of problem tenants once you reach that point.