Hey Jeff,Congrats on taking the first step towards your investment journey!

Quote from @Kody Smith: without getting too deep into my finances, what my strategy is...1. take loans to buy properties (leverage)2. fix/flip for day to day cash flow income3. use some of the fix/flip income to buy consistent cash flow through:- business acquisition, - commercial properties (MF and store fronts),I have no intention of doing ALL of the management myself, I will hire management as needed (medium term goal)my expected core role is money provider, evaluating the numbers, making decisions, and connecting with investors, wholesalers, lenders, contractors, and property owners.while I am just on step 2 of the journey, I am looking toward step 3 to stabilize, and not worry about if house prices drop mid project or not (or not worry as much) So to be fair this is more about obtaining and growing a real estate business not simply buying rentals for cashflow.

Joining BiggerPockets is a fantastic first step – it’s where so many great real estate journeys start.

I have a city rowhouse with a 20' sidewalk and 5' wide steps with 9 treads and two 7'x7' landings.

I'm not sure how and what to look for in a lender that would take the property as a down payment or what step I should take first.

I just completed my 20 hour course for my Illinois Mortgage Lending License and the final step is taking the state exam.

I have been able to take my real estate portfolio to a level in which i really didn't think possible and educate myself on so many things not only in real estate but in creating wealth throughout the power of networking with others that have experience and proven track records in other types of businesses.

HML lenders want to see a clear path to profit, so ensure your ARV and rehab estimates are solid.For next steps, definitely prioritize a detailed inspection to confirm HVAC and interior needs.

Use your first deal as a stepping stone to long-term success!

Steps to takeReview the contract: Understand the terms of the agreement, including the notice period and any termination fees.