Making Offers on MLS Properties

[Melissa Mavour]

Hello

I am a new investor who has been studying via materials from workshops and seminars, I attend meetups and REI events as well. There are a lot of holes I am trying to fill in my understanding of the process of investing. One is about making offers:

I see great opportunities on the MLS that I want to make an offer on. I have assumed I can't make offers on MLS properties as a beginning investor lacking loads of cash, but as a homeowner - which means meeting the savings, income and credit requirements for a mortgage. But I keep hearing investors talking about finding deals on the MLS. How does that work, exactly? If I make an offer on a property for which I don't have 20% to put down, and I don't want to buy as a first-time homebuyer, would it still be possible to get the property as an investment?

I hope this was clear!

Thanks