New to Real Estate Investing in Metro Detroit- Looking for colleages

[Elizabeth Lester-Medado]

Hello All,

    My name is Beth and I'm new to BP.  I've been interested in real estate investing for years!  But over the past few months, I have really been serious about starting as an investor.  I'm reading everything I can get my hands on!  I want to flip single family homes, but I'd be open to buy and hold properties as well.

   My biggest concern is how to FIND those good house deals, without having to send out 1,000 "buy homes for cash" letters, in my market.  Does anyone else have any insight as to how I might go about finding good deals in Metro Detroit?  Should I find a wholesaler?  

   Also, I don't have a lot saved up.  I do have a friend that will loan me money for a small fee to real estate investing.  Does anyone have any thoughts on how much someone should save prior to starting their real estate investing career?

Thanks Everyone!
Beth