If you simply didn't express the true feelings and emotions you've been experiencing regarding this matter, and you've been feeling a strong pulling to this industry, then I think you already know the answer to your question. 

All are invited.This is a night of PURE networking for the industry people connected through Bigger Pockets.

A little bit about myself for anyone interested:I'm looking to be a buy-and-hold investor while continuing my regular job - I am looking to put money to work and would be potentially interested in doing so as part of someone else's deal; I would consider both SFR and MFR deals.I am an investor in my day job (currently private equity / buyouts, soon to become public equities) so may have some bad habits, or at least industry-specific ones, to break; I generally anticipate being relatively analytical / systematic in looking at dealsMy family held a few properties when I was growing up - I have experience personally doing refurbishing work and secondhand experience with property management activities (this will hopefully help me as contextual information, I don't anticipate taking on an active role in refurb or property management in the near future)Right now, I am trying to educate myself on the process of deal sourcing (MLS, wholesaler buyer lists, etc.) and market data sources; in particular, I would really appreciate any input on good sources for publicly available market-level data in manipulable format such as Excel or .csv as well as input from anyone who uses a systematic deal-screening approach both on their criteria and how they get reliable / quality data into a screening-friendly formatThanks for everything people have already contributed. 

Hi everyone,The oil and gas industry is a huge driver of our state economy and with $50/barrel, oil companies around here are making cuts and laying people off.

Suggesting to just make an offer and then see if you can beat the bushes for a buyer at a higher price isn't even in the realm of any business approach in any industry without knowing that market, plain silly.

I am also new to the industry and have hopes of making deals in Palmdale, Lancaster, etc. once I get settled in Acton.

I’m in the healthcare industry but have been more than ready to make a change due to, in my opinion, a decline in the quality of healthcare thanks to budget cuts and pencil-pushing bureaucrats.

A few notes: the 50% rule of thumb is based on the experience in the industry, but it will be between 40% (self-managed, tenants pay utilities, newer home) and 60% (PM managed, you have some or all utilities, older home or deferred maintenance).

Properties acquired for rehab are actually held for sale and not held for investment and therefore do not qualify for 1031 Exchange treatment. 

DBPR licenses and regulates construction trades which impact the structure of a building and affect public safety, including roofing, HVAC, electrical and plumbing work.During this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2014, DBPR has received 462 complaints against unlicensed real estate professionals and appraisers, resulting in 132 investigations and 35 Notices to Cease and Desist against unlicensed individuals in the real estate industry.DBPR also has a coordinated media campaign with proactive public relations efforts including press releases, news coverage, social media and organization with industry associations to combat unlicensed activity statewide.Per Florida Statute, DBPR collects $5 from licensees during the initial licensure and renewal periods to aid in the combat of unlicensed activity.Floridians are asked to report any suspected unlicensed activity by email to [email protected] or by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1 (866) 532-1440.