I am interested in looking at out of state investment opportunities as the high cost of living in NJ really does make it very investor friendly at the moment. 

This is because cap ex and operating expenses disproportionately impact lower cost real estate and its very easy to find yourself upside down on a property like this.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an investor-friendly bank(s) in Burlington? 

I have California investor friends buying in Texas (Dallas and San Antonio). 

Don’t talk with your spouse unless they want to, not your friends or coworkers, not your family.  

Renting to people that aren't friends can be great, but also, one tenant can make everyone's lives miserable, so that's why I start with short leases in the beginning. 

I'm also open to flipping once I have some more funds on hand as I have some friends here I know that could help me with the right contractors to work with and start to make some money that way to get more properties.

I have a friend who PadSplits in south Atlanta.  

Please suggest if you think any other budget friendly ideas.

As a second generation Mexican,I knew no one in my family or close friends who did real estate.