We also plan on partnering with a friend to help with initial investment, cosmetic rehab (we plan to do the work ourselves and are not looking to knock down walls or anything major), splitting property management responsibilities, etc.I am hoping the community can help me out with some questions that I am still trying to tackle.1)  I am struggling with the financing aspect of acquiring a loan with a partnership.  

I kind of feel it's a nice way to get my feet wet and like the low maintenance aspect.

I have visited UK & much of Southern Europe, and for sure there are many beautiful aspects.

It costs about $15.00 a month and is what I use to manage all aspects of my rentals.”

I like the aspect of the traditional route because I get to learn more about the process and interact more with clients (as far as helping find homes). 

or even seller finance it to your tenants if that is an option because then you get cash flow for awhile longer and they get to worry about the maintenance aspect.

I am builder/ rehabber so most of my expertise is in that area of REI but I am very knowledgeable in all aspects of RE and will try my best to give you the best answer that I could to help educate you and help you grow exponentially like everyone in the network helped me.

So there are a number of aspects to this. 

I've done plenty of research on the rental aspect of this, but I've never actually purchased a house. 

Absolutely not.Another aspect of that, they can't take into account other aspects of desirability/lack there of.