Investor Newbie in Milwaukee, WI

[Sonia Summers]

Greetings Bigger Pockets community!

I'm a marketing communications rep for a big corporation in Milwaukee. I've owned a duplex for seven years, which was owner occupied for four of those years. I am interested in purchasing several duplexes that need updating and renovating in my neighborhood.

I joined Bigger Pockets to receive best practices for purchasing investment properties. I am looking to learn: how much money should I aim to put down on a purchase? Should I pay cash for renovations? If financing renovations are ok, how should I secure funding?