As always, I'm signing into BP to ask another question I can't find a solid answer to anywhere else on the internet.

Real estate investing feels right to me and I want to get involved, so I've been reading a lot of books and internet forums trying to learn more. 

None of this is very expensive to install, but you need internet access to monitor so there is a recurring expense.

For our first deal I just scoured the internet, found the lowest rate out there, and got a conventional mortgage.

Give me a few months ;) I think it goes without saying that negative comments on an internet forum would be the least of the challenges that I or anyone else will face.  

@Dennis Johnson- I've paid for various guru courses and coaching programs and here's the benefits that I've experienced:Specialized knowledge from people that have achieved a status that I aspire to be at (as opposed to taking all types of info from random people on the internet). 

@Justin MurrayWelcome to BP, this is the best place to learn on the internet about real estate investing for free.

I don't do this "for a living" (I'm a Director of Technical Quality Assurance, for the record) and I don't know what I am within my rights to ask or demand of these guys.Reading the internet is a scary thing...

One of the call center people at one of the big internet lenders you're familiar with quoted a rate shopper with <700 FICO 3.75% at no points the other day.

Only talk to a Known lender in your market that you can verify not someone off the internet.