I've been helping folks navigate this market for the past 20 years, and I can tell you, combining a personal residence with rental income is a game changer.Just last year, my friend Dom helped a new investor find a charming duplex in East Austin.

Your friends and family know you on a personal level and question your capabilities. 

Would you stick with the bank  (have kept the communication going with my contact on what i'm working on, high level is 25% in, 9% rate amoritzed 15 currently but I think they would do 20 and also includes construction phase but not sure yet on when it would switch to p&i) and go that route or would bringing in a cash partner (friend/family, have multiple people interested) be something to consider?

Hey Friends,As a Christian I am curious how other believers go about tithing on their income.

He is a friend and willing to be flexible for a creative solution as he just needs some of the cash for a down payment. 

Currently I have reached out to one personal friend who is a real estate agent.

I hate to say this because i am totally against it, but you can borrow from friends and business associates, try and find aomeone who can contribute not only funds, but also strategy (since you're new).It's great to have lofty goals, just remember you need to find a way to pave the road to your end goals. 

I am also an appraiser that works with local and out of state investors make connections with local investor friendly lenders and property managers.

And I have a friend that is informing me of the next meetup he goes to so I will try my best to meet others and gather what I can learn from their experience.To answer your first question its a residential portfolio of single family, duplexes, a few triplexes and two quads.

It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more.