Types of financing for newbies? Upsides and downsides?

[Avel Arci]

What are the types of financing available or have you tried? What are the Upside, risk and downside? What best practices or approach to get the most upside, (e.g., tax "free" benefits, etc) and managing risks for each type? Is there any financing type that's best for specific type of REI? What do you recommend as the best financing path to newbies with big dreams?