Here are your practical steps to acquire your first deal: save religiously for a downpayment.

Here are some deets on how I narrowed down my search area:I religiously read online forums to search where people are moving, good school districts, low crime areas, out of flood zones.

@Michael Flanagan, probably not the advice that you want to hear but I share this time and again with younger investors because it's practical and realistic; save religiously, limit unnecessary debt, build your credit, secure W2 employment, get pre-approved via a conventional lender, acquire and house hack your first deal.

.), I find it very interesting at the number of times the Bible has been mentioned here.And while I am more spiritual as compared to religious, I believe whole-heartedly that if the world could live by even a minimum number of the precepts set forth in the Bible, we would certainly be facing a far better future.And I would start first by applying those minimum standards to our own selves here in the U.S.

@Jeffrey DouglasI just read The Power of New- Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle.

The people were oppressed by outrageous taxes, many children were snatched away from their families, there were forcible religious conversions, widespread sexual slavery to the polygamous Turks, many churches were turned into mosques, and all the Greek people of the capital of Byzantium and its hinterland were declared subject forever to Mehmet the Conqueror and his issueApproximately 400 years later, in a series of bloody wars that lasted the better part of a century, the Greek people (with a great deal of help) succeeded in winning back approximately HALF of what were their ancestral lands, the western half.Ready for my questions, Evan?

But you gotta get to your nearest Real Estate Investment Club, and go religiously! 

I've read as many books as i could and listen to the BP podcast religiously.

Read Rich Dad Poor Dad.Read Tony Robbins Awaken the Giant Within--and do the written exercises.Good Luck!

Alternative uses are really limited due to social stigma or religious beliefs.