Could be houses, could be shoes, could be cosmetics.

I am going to piggyback Andrew post and I am pretty much in the similar shoes with Andrew and I'm looking for my first rental property in New Jersey, however I am not looking to move to Jersey from NYC at the moment.

Put yourself in a lenders shoes.

If you see her wearing new shoes or have a new purse then i'd start the paperwork like everyone else says.

He's the founder of Tom's shoes.

You want to really learn what an area is like, how much rents cost and receive knowledge then strap on some shoes and get to walking and talking.

(Primarily because I don't have anyone who likes me enough to gift an entire down payment) If I were in your shoes, I would most likely elect to sell the condo I was in and use the proceeds from the sale to purchase a multi-family property, live in one unit, and rent out the others.  

I'm not looking to go on lavish vacations, buy cars or have name brand shoes. 

I will get your coffee, shine your shoes or quite frankly wipe your bottom.

A little counter to what others are advising, but I'm not sure I'd jump into REI in shoes like yours.