It is scary what people will fall for!

HE determines if the house falls over or not.

Usually things start to pick up around then.Most years.In some markets prices have been falling after rising too much.In other markets (maybe your market) the properties never rose much and they largely missed the bubble.

I've enrolled in my local community college for Fall classes, 2008.

FHA mortgage interest will not automatically fall off with a 30 year mortgage, if you put less than 10% down.

Somehow being an agent got hijacked with slick folks in luxury cars making it seem like all we do is show 1 house and money falls from heaven.

The hardest part about this scenario is finding a property in the Bay Area that falls under FHA loan limits.

If you have a choice of buying good or buying bad I think I know on which side I would fall.

Hook up with some more experienced local investors who like to chat.Just remember never to fall in love with your investments, they are vehicles, their purpose is only to get you to where you want to go. :) 

I will continue to do some reading and studying so that when I'm ready to start investing hopefully but next fall, I know which direction I want to head.Casey