I got my first FHA  3.5% down  4-unit building in Tilton, NH (An hour and a half north of Boston).

Did they build their portfolios overnight?

@Monty Alston It has some impact but no lenders will give you credit for having experience building a home unless you have built or renovated a home in the last 3-5 years.

This is very useful.You could build a deck or gazebo to house a hot tub.

To paraphrase Warren Buffet “it takes a lifetime to build your reputation and only a moment to destroy it”

Same as you wouldn't only invest in one stock (or the stock market), diversifying allows you a bit of a safety net in case one goes down.With real estate a lot of people focus on cash flow, but remember tenants are paying down your mortgage for you and helping you build equity and over time (eg 5-10 years) your house will also appreciate in value.

A little about me: i’m new to the real estate world and eager to learn everything I can to build a successful investing journey.

If all goes well, I'm building the courage to surrender to the challenge. 

While I didn't want to stay there permanently, it was a stepping stone to build my track record. 

Great community to bounce ideas off of as I build my knowledge base.