Keep in mind this is a self-directed account and most are not.  

BTW you said you have a 9-5 so keep in mind you cannot double dip on the employee 401k contribution.

I've been reading books and checking out posts here on Bigger Pockets, but have one question at the back of my mind: how much capitol do I need to buy my first deal?

VA loans are the only loans that allow this, and there is no rate penalty for it no longer being your primary home.With that in mind, you could do a cash out refinance today at a higher rate than current market rates which will create profit on the loan, we can take that profit to pay for your closing costs.

.✔️ You’d rather pay for peace of mind and legal compliance.Final ThoughtsIf you’re house hacking a small multi-unit (like a 2- or 3-flat) and are comfortable being hands-on, self-managing can be a great way to save money and learn the business.

With an invoice showing "no charge" for fixing the cupboard, this hopefully can't happen again if a contractor changes did mind or has some type of mental lapse.  

I'm seeking to be in an environment with like minded individuals to learn and network to grow my portfolio and eventually network to collaborate on larger deals once I have a better understanding of the commercial side. 

One thing to bear in mind is that if you want first crack at a property offered by Networth, you have to finance thru Loans212.

Hello, my name is Marshal, and I’m excited to connect with this community of like-minded individuals passionate about real estate.

I included a link below to your state's association with all the requirement info.Keep in mind that getting into Real Estate is not a cheap adventure.