Getting the first deal

[Thomas Rodgers]

I am wanting to get some advise for my next steps and thought it might be better to ask this group over the real estate group. I am nearing the end of my debt paydown phase and im trying decide on a long term plan. Ultimately my end goal is to end up in apartment complexes but my plan to get to get there may not be ideal.

My current plan is to save up money for the down payment on my fisrt house as an owner occupied loan to get a lower down payment and repeat the process until I can start putting down the 20% for multi family investment properties then eventually getting up to apartments.

The main thing I am wanting advise on is weather that is even an ideal plan or not. Also when it comes to getting the first couple of houses should I be submitting lower than list price offers just off of what I see online then doing due diligence and inspections if they even entertain or counter my offer or is the goal to submit an offer good enough to get it under contract and negotiate later, or is there a better way? Lastly what is the best way to get the information to make a good estimate on operating costs of a single family house to evaluate deals?

Thank you.