What I've found is that narrowing down what you're interested in (niche real estate investing) and then read everything you can get your hands on.The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller is a great first read.

In the Chicago area $10k will give you a purchase maybe in Robbins, a small, grimey suburb or give you enough to run for the border, rob a cigarette store for 5k more and buy a small sfr in Gary or East Chicago, Indiana.

Thanks, Gary

More details would be helpful Gary W..

@Matthew Medlock this sounds a lot like the Millionaire Real Estate Investor (A book by Gary Keller).

Most importantly, stop the water penetration where ever possible.BEST REGARDS;Gary J.

Originally posted by @Gary McGowan:It's important know that with investment properties up 4 units CMHC only alows up to 80% LTV. http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/hoficlincl/moloin/hopr/upload/CMHC_Income_Property.pdf Gary,Thank-you for posting the clarification.  

If you want to expand your learning horizon a little bit, I recommend reading From Janitor to Multi-Millionaire by Rich Weese and the Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller.

Tom Henderson, The Note Professor has either a CD Or Physical Book on Note Investing & Gary Johnston of Gary Johnston Seminars,a book by Henry Dvorken.

Who listens to what I'm telling them, not what Gary Keller or Mike Ferry told them to say.