I am a broker but also started my own portfolio a while ago house hacking so if you're thinking about doing it I have probably done it from house hacking to flipping, and everything in between. 

@David Lutz this is fantastic.I am a Realtor and was a mortgage broker for 11 years prior. 

For me it started out being a RE broker and listing other developers product 50 years ago :) so you kind of grow into it..

I was able to have an educated conversation with the mortgage broker at the bank thanks to everything I've learned so far. 

Get a job brokering land deals, this way you get paid for what you want to do.3.

@Connor McGinnisI can intro you to our mortgage broker.

I wasn't interested in investing at the time, but I did have a chance to talk to a local broker and remember the asking prices being shockingly high compared to what the locals make.

As a broker in Charlotte, I love everything that you can do in real estate. 

I assume you are referring to 3.5% and 5% down,Well the 96.5% LTV FHA Product is great, it typically offers more competitive rates than the 95% LTV Conventional product.However there are stricter requirements on the property for an FHA product.Speak with a broker who knows what they are doing and they will point you in the right direction.Neither of these products will qualify for 5+ Units however, stick to 1-4 units.

For 18 years, I thrived as a mortgage broker in Texas, helping countless families achieve their dream of homeownership.