What strategy did you use to buy your first investment property?

[Alex Rodriguez]

I'm new to real estate and learning still. However my goal is to purchase my first investment by next summer/fall. I would love to hear the process you took to get your first property and the strategy (ie. saved up, partnered with someone, rent occupied, etc). 

Thanks! 

[Steven Foster Wilson]

@Michael Craig I saved $10k. Asked my Grandma for 15K and bought my first duplex with an FHA 3.5% down loan. I ended up rehabbing the property, adding 2 beds and 1 bath to the duplex and refinancing and cashing out. I cashed out 75k (30k to pay off my renovation debt, 45k helped buy my second property)

This photo is just one example of the renovation. We moved the front door so we could add a bedroom. After all the appraisal on a duplex is all about bedroom and bathroom count.