I basically have no cash to work with at this point, so he said what I'd need to do is start applying for credit cards, at a slow pace so as not to ding my credit score, until I have about $100-150K avail to use.

The second place winner would be NFCU.Penfed has one of the best rates and you could see on thier sites BUT and a big but lol I have apply for thier refinance and equity line of credit and both times and it took alot of patience because of the pace they tend to take.

For one thing, it follows the concept of learning at your own pace.

Lot to learn so pace yourself and don't get overwhelmed as I was. 

.- We have not built enough rental units to keep pace with population growth in Denver since 2001.

She needs time to research at her pace; don't push, gently shove 😉!!

Are they working at a steady pace?

Rent a room to a graduate student or professional and you can easily come close to breaking even and learn more about real estate in the process.If you're dying to renovate a home, I'd suggest going conventional for a grandma house that you can cosmetically upgrade at your own pace, then after a year or so refinance with another bank.Good luck to you in your search!

Investors are already buying multifamily houses and apartments at a rapid pace.

So buy and hold is a slow snail pace not a 1-2 year, but that is just my perspective