I have been an agent for about 3.5 years, and working on acquiring my first couple deals for flips/BRRRR's asap.

@Arlene Gil - If you didn't connect with Backflip, I'm happy to talk you through our products and processes! 

You can put a little as 5% down payment for conventional or 3.5% for FHA.Alternative way, is to acquire the 2nd property as an investment property with conventional, while putting 15%-25% down payment.

This can lead to more opportunities and partnerships.Market Understanding: As a property manager, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the local market, which can be invaluable when you start acquiring your own properties.Steady Income Stream: Property management can provide a consistent income, which can be particularly beneficial in the early stages of your real estate venture.Skill Development: You'll develop a range of skills from customer service to maintenance oversight, which are crucial for successful property ownership.Brand Recognition: Establishing a presence as a reliable property management company can boost your reputation, making it easier to attract tenants and investors when you start acquiring properties.Cons:Time Commitment: Property management can be time-consuming, especially if you're dealing with multiple properties or demanding clients.Regulatory Compliance: Staying compliant with local laws and regulations requires diligence and can be complex.Conflict Resolution: Dealing with tenant issues and conflicts is an inevitable part of property management and can sometimes be challenging.Financial Risk: There are financial risks involved, including late payments or damage to properties.Market Fluctuations: The property market can be unpredictable, affecting both rental income and property values.Overall, starting with a property management company can be a smart way to enter the real estate space, especially in an area with a clear need for such services.

A BRRRR strategy or house hacking with a duplex can maximize your returns.Consider leveraging financing to acquire multiple properties, which spreads risk and scales your portfolio faster.

While I've been able to get out of my W2 after acquiring 30 properties, I've learned that you still need to generate some sort of active income unless most of your doors are completely debt free.

You'll see rate improvements at 25% and 30% down for most loan products.

Stores like Home Depot or Ace will have products specifically designed for removing difficult adhesives, but you can also DIY with household products.

You could use a floor leveling product but check the square feet to see if the product covers large spaces.

So, 400k - 500k sounds like lots of money but if you wanna operate in the 300k+ entry point it get can swallowed up quick.One strategy I'd try is to be a buyer at the auctions, win a bid on a good house, close on it in cash (you should be a great deal under market value) and then get into a delayed purchase bridge loan product which will cash you out a certain percentage of the purchase and supply the rehab funds.