House hacking is the BEST way to get into real estate investing and that's how I personally got started as well too.

This is a story from my past that provides a perfect example as to why investing in tax liens at auction is so dangerous for any but the most experienced and knowledgable investors20 years ago I purchased a SFR as a long term rental investment that sat on a double lot.  

If the loan amount you are looking for is small relative to the value of the first and the second property combined, they are very well secured on a LTV%; ask for a 1% point lower rate.If you don't want to Cross Collateralize, do you have any CD's or MM you can transfer to this bank as collateral. 

North MS is a great option as well! 

Part of the equation is how much equity can be drawn from your property as well, this would also be a question for your lender.4.

@Patrick Osterling similarly I come from a sales background as well.

@Vina Merrill,I don't have much intel on Knoxville, but I’m active as an investor, turnkey provider, and builder in Chattanooga.

In our experience, a well-vetted VA can help streamline deal sourcing, initial due diligence, and administrative tasks—allowing investors to focus on strategy and decision-making.In our team, we take pride in hiring professionals who truly understand the nuances of the industry.

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I'm curious as well!