Rookie getting nervous! Looking for General + Financing advice.

[Eric Lilly]

Hey Everyone!

Rookie investor here. Over the last few months I've been aggressively saving for a down payment while browsing BP, listening to the podcast, and reading a few books. I didn't expect to find such a good deal this quickly. My agent has been sending me automated listings for small multi-families in my area (south jersey). I opened up the email this morning and found (what seems to be) an incredible deal. At least by the numbers. I wish I had been calling banks and delving a bit deeper into the process hands-on before now. My agent is setting up a showing for Friday, my first ever! (My brother will be accompanying me. He is a major project manager for a restoration company. Luckily using him as my eyes to inspect as much of the property as he can for the first run through to give me a better idea of any problems and repairs. I will have a checklist with me for sure.) 

My agent also gave me the contact information for a lender he knows. This gave me a tiny bit of relief, at least I have an "in" with a lender. I will be calling him shortly.

I never really anticipated this happening so soon. I can run the numbers on a deal pretty well. But acquiring financing and actually dealing with *gasp* other people is really triggering my fight or flight response! I know there are countless things I dont know and have yet to learn. But I also know there is no better way to learn then by actually going through, or at least beginning, the real process. So regardless of the outcome, I'm striving to maintain that mindset. I just keep reminding myself not to fall into the trap of "analysis paralysis" and see this through as far as I can. 

Would love any first deal advice. Would also really appreciate any insight on steps I can take towards pre-approval in my specific situation. I'm going for an FHA loan. I am a delivery driver for Domino's and recently doordash as well. I know what I take home every month (never less than 3,000. never more than 4,000) I budget pretty strictly using mint, but I'm really nervous about how my income might look to a lender. My income is solid, but how will it look considering a vast portion of my income is in tips? How might I organize this information for a lender? Lastly, I've only been employed at this job since February. I'm nervous about not having 2 years of history, are there any common exceptions or workarounds to this? I'm very confident and determined in what I'm doing. I know I'm "only delivering food" in some people's eyes, but I have saved $12,000 since February with the exact purpose of buying a duplex in mind.

I apologize that this was so long winded, it just feels like things happening at light-speed and I knew I had to come to BP and lay it out. I appreciate if you've read all of this, and would further appreciate any advice. Thanks, all!

Edit: Also, the property I'm going for is listed at $120,000.