Newbie with multiple questions @ taking the plunge

[Trey Antwine]

In the past week when I started this endeavor (wanting to become a local real estate investor), I feel as though Ive been trying to drink water from a fire hydrant. Ive had advice from others in the local market including...start out buying 3/2 single family homes in a stable neighborhood....preferably brick, less than 10 years old, 1% rule for renting(Ive heard 2% on one of BP podcasts) ....avoid homes in less desirable rundown areas, avoid multi units...buy north of town( thats where the city is growing) I live in a city of 65,000 with median income of $46,000 and median age 35...(I include this only because I wonder if its relevant) Ive been listening to BP podcasts and wonder , should I only look at homes in foreclosure (what is an REO) what is considered a good deal on a home Im about to purchase (do I look at the sales of the other homes on the block) Should I stick with neighborhoods only or do i go after a bargain thats sits alone out in the country(Is there a large market for those that want to live away from traditional neighborhood) What about these auctions at the courthouse...buying the house with a cashiers check? Should I work with a realtor? pros/cons. what type of loan ...from a traditional bank or from some smaller lenders. What is a portfolio lender loan and should that be the route I go? Explain home path loans( was in a pod cast I just listened to) Is there a method for buying rental property with little to nothing down? I realize Im all over the place with these questions, but want to feel confident when I jump in.