If you go the section 8 route, I'd avoid city of Birmingham Section 8 and work with Jefferson County Section 8 instead.

For 5+ I typically use Ed Campbell at Jefferson Bank and Trust, or in some cases Eric Kappelman at Citizens, it kindof just depends on the scenario.  

Hello RichardYou are on the right track hanging out here on BPYou will not find a better real estate investment forum then here01- Check out Amazon .com   Books section,,you can buy any real estate book under the sun used ,in print out of print for pennies on the dollar.If you dont have them yet ,get the 3 excellent books by John Schaub.02 When you can afford it get a smart phone,,it doesnt have to be an I Phone,,,,HTC makes a very nice Android style phone for the money.Make friends with a young techie geek and get a handle on the best phone company deal around,,,I word suggest T Moblie first.Gei an internet hook up on your smart then you can listen to the BP Podcasts via You Tube wherever you go ,,,even waiting for a haircut at the barbershop.Lastly find the best REI meeting in your area,,,,hint,,,it wont be the one where some snakeoil guy is selling courses for $1997.00 on a card table at the end of the meeting.Good REI's usually have folks that have a professional capacity in the real estate industry and anj area of expertise they talk about,,,,ie brokers appraisars,,,,,title reps etc.Believe or not I have found theres usually only one or 2 in any major metropolis that are worth while,,,,so it might take you some time to find oneHope this helps DD in L.A.

P.S Houston is a thriving metropolis!

Used savings from business and rents to purchase a 12 unit building on the northwest side and then another 3 flat near the Jefferson Park El station and property in Florida. 

Also Gadsby's Tavern was a favorite of Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison.

Jefferson,The closing costs are high solely because the lender is charging you a hefty origination fee of almost $4k while also getting $3k on the backend of the deal from the wholesale lender buying the loan.

Clair Shores near 11 mile and Jefferson!

There are an addtional 4000 or so within a 4-5 mile radius but still, its no metropolis.  

This is for residential properties in the Jefferson County and Shelby County areas.