Knowing your long-term plans can help you build a long-term financing strategy so that you are not just worried about purchase number 4, but also purchases 5 - 20+ (if you plan to continue to invest).I'm an investor and licensed mortgage broker.

Regardless of the type of lender you work with, building a trusting relationship is crucial.

Get on a budget, build your emergency fund, pay off all debts, save up.

.- Now Foreclosures may be a good discount but at the same time I already know that there is aLOT more risk to this.I already have a real estate agent, a mortgage broker, and am getting connections to contractors and so forth.My few Questions are:- Do I need a real estate agent in this process for foreclosures?

From google: “The Fair Housing Act (FHA) does not apply to certain types of rentals, including: Owner-occupied buildings: If the building has four or fewer units and is owned by the person who lives there Single-family homes: If the owner rents or sells the home without using a real estate agent, and they own no more than three homes Religious organizations: If the property is only available to members of the organization's religion Private clubs: If the property is only available to members of the club Senior housing: If the property is designated for people who are at least 55 years old Even if a property is exempt from the FHA, it must still comply with the law's ban on discriminatory statements, notices, or advertising.

The only rentals I'll consider is if I can do a build to rent.

These programs often assert to guide you step-by-step through the process, provide assistance with funding, and connect you with contractors.

I started out with little to nothing when I was in the Army and building up properties slowly. 

.- I prioritize building strong, professional relationships with my buyers by taking the time to understand their needs and goals.

Since you're investing from a distance, I recommend interviewing multiple agents, lenders, property managers, contractors, and other professionals to build a strong and reliable team.