Otherwise, they’re playing Russian Roulette with costly mistakes, potential fines and lawsuits.

You can hear real-world examples of how others have built their investment portfolio and (hopefully) learn to avoid their mistakes.4.

I honestly should have more money saved up considering my years of working full-time, however younger financial mistakes have been a painful lesson and I regret not purchasing a property sooner/younger.My most important and immediate goal right now is to purchase a property.I am in (what I perceive to be) a relatively high cost real estate area. 

I am not saying the bank couldn't have made a mistake, but it is highly unlikely.

I got into the RE rental market a few years ago.I made one mistake on a cheap property with great cash flow in a decent area.

Permit included in job (unless you're paying unlicensed people significantly less) in which case u pay someone to pull the permit.Well this is one mistake I made.

@Mark Graham IIYou could sell the property or refinanceWhere people make the mistake is think they can overpay because they are seller financing and have negative equity in the property - so when they are cash strapped or need to sell they cannot because they are underwater

My biggest mistake?

I choose not to rent to smokers and have never thought it was a mistake.  

It's harder to find really good deals with built-in equity on the MLS, but it's also much easier to avoid making mistakes and buying turds and money pits.