I think you should start by understanding what it is your investors want out of the deal, analyze how the returns compare to traditional investments, and then see where you fit into this deal. 

Over the course of using Bigger Pockets I have had very degrees of opinions on who I should vote for concerning a post.When I first started using Bigger Pockets, I was too naïve to even think of voting for someone that took the time to answer one of my post.  

@Andy Ptak when jumping into the industry you have a few choices:1) Start at the bottom2) Leverage your experience to convince someone to give you a chance3) Decide between:--- Big companies who will usually start you at the bottom--- Small companies that will more like to a chance on hiring you for an above entry level position.

I plan on starting out next year with a small plug and play solution to have minimum risk.

I have been reading the online resources about getting started, searching the market, and even doing tours, but I am hesitant to jump in and buy a house as I have quite a large amount of student debt.

Lenders or investors who have short lock up periods but have years of experience feeding their business with new capital would give me more comfort but anyone who is just starting and is promising a rate of return or return of capital in a set period of time would be alarming because they very well could be reliant on fresh capital to make good on that promise and that usually ends poorly.

How did you get started in real estate investing?

The property was occupied (still is) with 1 tenant that I am now having the exhausting pleasure of evicting. 2yrs later, said tenant continues to try every angle to delay the court granted Marshall’s execution.The “2nd” floor was poorly renovated (bad contractors), new tenant moved in and a year later, another eviction process has started as they lost their job and refuse to move or pay.Stuck with a very large mortgage bill (that I am paying), utilities and making small repairs to keep the property up also noting the casual 311 complaints from both tenants. 

Start by leveraging what you already have—consider tapping into equity through a HELOC, house hacking again with an FHA loan, or increasing cash flow by converting a unit to a short-term rental.

. :-) I don’t have a coaching program I’m selling either.A little over a year ago, I started a thread about who was investing in their health.