NOOB to RE Investing

[Heather Kern]

I live in Lewiston, Maine. A couple of months ago started listening to Bigger Pockets and felt like this was the next step for me. I have done some listening, some reading, some playing around with Cap Rate Pro, some Zillow surfing. I just contacted a realtor via email who states in her advertising that she has experience in investment properties. I have spoken with a property manager friend who is phasing out of the business to get her input on which areas are better for rentals in our surrounding counties and I will be getting her recommendations for an active manager in my investment market once I narrow that down some. I am also trying to find the best networking group in our area but haven't been successful yet. 

I think my biggest hangup at the moment is feeling intimidated at the idea of seeking financing. I'm great at the ideas, but the details of the thing are not my strength, particularly when it comes to money. Any suggestions for how to write a professional proposal to take to lenders? We have a little seed money, and on paper will likely look like decent people with a weakish financial position. Also, I feel like we should approach the smaller local banks or credit unions rather than larger big banks. (I should mention here that we have not yet formed our LLC. If we do this on our own through our state gov website, are there any pitfalls later on that a legal service would have foreseen?)

I feel like I have put on my Little Mermaid bathing suit and swim goggles, ditched the water wings and now I am shivering at the end of the diving board at the deep end of the pool. 

Any guidance here?