seeking advice and network for multi apartments in Atlanta area

[Leon Lee]

Hi, BPers

I am a part-time investor who has been investing in SFHs for the past two years. So far, I have five SFH properties with about $400K equity. As I listen to BP podcasts and read a few books on multifamily, I gradually realize that is the way to go. Currently, I have about $100K cash and I am thinking about multifamily in C or B neighborhoods with 1 hour drive from Atlanta. So, my question is, where should I start from where I am now? Here are what I am planning to do next:

(1) check the deals on LoopNet and write down contacts of the brokers. Start to analysis some deals and gradually get myself familiar with multifamily deal analysis. 

(2) start to email these brokers, telling them my search criteria and my current financial situation, kindly ask them to contact me if they have deals falling within my criteria. 

(3) start to call local banks to see whether they do portofolio loans, and if they do, what are the terms and qualifications

(4) continue to save for downpayment and repair costs, preparing for when the next deal comes. 

My questions are: 

(1) Should I talk to local banks first before talking to brokers, to have my financial ducks lined in the row? When I ask for the loan terms, will they need to check my credit to know the specifics of the loan they can give?

(2) I am planning to contact brokers and have them as my listing agent for their deals, considering the hot markets nowadays. Are there potential problems for doing so?

(3) So far, I have not spent a lot of time socializing with other multifamily investors in the Atlanta area. Will it be super beneficial if I could find a mentor/friend who can walk me through my first deal? If so, what are other investors doing to thank these people?

(4) Although I currently have >$100K cash, I am thinking about deals that close to $1MM. Is it common nowadays to find sellers who would do seller financing for a part of the downpayment in Atlanta area? 

(5) Which areas within 1 hour drive from Atlanta downtown that have good population and job growth? I am looking at Marietta, Kannesaw, Canton,Calhoun and Gainsville. Are there any places that look particularly promising?

Sorry for so many questions, but I always got detailed answers for questions on BP, so I would try again and hopefully the info I get will lead to my first deal. 

Thank you!

Lee