I think it's okay to leverage your equity if there's no worry about paying all your costs and you buy something in an area that's easy to rent (somewhere close to the sky train).  

We have been doing training and going to seminars for the last couple months.

The neighborhood is near the Fern Rock (Broad Street Line) train which is a plus people say.

I've been snooping around this website for around 1 and a half years and feel its time to start asking some questions that pertain to the goals I desire to shape towards being successful in Real Estate Investing.One of my goals is to earn my Real Estate License this year and to under go training through Keller Williams.

Since you're a short bus/train ride away, I'd make a weekend out of it and visit the neighborhoods yourself.

I also think that there is some value in the training.

@Ryan McEniff based on my education and training when analyzing a deal I use the following for operating expenses: Check with the local area you are buying by asking the local experts, but as someone who is a real estate Broker in CA, our average closing costs on the buy side for a buyer will run between 2%-3% of sales price (most of that comes from lender origination fees). 10% vacancy (most deals I see when being offered for sale are between 5%-8%, but if it pencils with 10% I know I'm probably covered on vacancy)10% for property management (until I know exactly what the PM fee is then I would modify, but average is 8% to 10%)5% for R&MActual Property TaxesInsurance (Get quotes from 3 companies and take the average)Landlord Utilities (12 month average.

Somebody should include that in every real estate agent training course as so many have spread this silly thought process to buyers.

You don't need a license at all to invest in real estate no matter what state you live in or the other states you invest in.You should using experienced local professionals in each state you do business in to get the job done right and keep you out of any legal trouble you may be worrying about.A license and all the training and expenses that goes with it is only necessary when you are representing other people as clients.

I was inspired today by the most recent BP podcast, and as it states; I am training my self to think about "how  I can expedite  my goals to financial freedom VS making excuses and giving into fear and analysis paralysis.