In Texas, as a licensed agent, you’re generally required to use TREC-approved forms for real estate transactions unless an exception applies, like (I believe) leases longer than 1 year or where no TREC form exists.

I am looking to purchase real estate for both investment purpose as well as to offset as much tax liability as possible. 

I am new to real estate investing and looking to connect with any local investor.

There is no stock account that gives the leverage real estate does, at as low interest rate real estate does, at as low risk/ volatility real estate does. 

I am currently in the planning phase of my real estate investment journey and had a few questions I’d like to ask someone more experienced.Would it be smarter to focus on paying down my own mortgage and then use a HELOC as a down payment for my first investment property, or should I simply use my savings for the down payment instead?

There is a lot of variability in this answer and, like all things in real estate, it simply depends. 

I'm new to real estate investing, but have thrown myself into learning as much as I can by joining a Veteran based investment community, have been working with my realtor and looking daily for potential multi family properties in the Dallas area for house hacking, which I've set myself an deadline to be completed by May.

I am new to the group, real estate investing in general, and trying to learn so that I can take my first step into real estate.

I have been dabbling in real estate investing and we have a vacation rental property in Custer SD.

That is why it is hard to get regular real estate loans on assets valued so low, the cost of the refinance makes it so you are paying higher than they can legally charge you percentage wise.