You don't have to buy one, you can install an app on your phone that will accomplish the same thing.

But, know what you want to accomplish beforehand.Creative Finance is a great way to buy properties when done properly and lawfully. 

Investment Info:Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment in Madison.

.- **BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat):** This strategy can be lucrative, but it requires careful planning and execution.

Hoping to go down one of two paths:1- Buy a condo or small single family home and build equity and create value with my maintenance/construction background.2- Find a cash provider to do this on a larger scale with a 3-5 unit building. 

I generally recommend if you're not going to buy a property in the city/market where you currently live, the next best place to look is where you have family (and presumably a place that you'll visit relatively often and easily).What is your price point and are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper", assuming you buy in Peoria or a similar priced Midwest market?

Those four classes are where the majority of investors will buy rentals. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

My strategy for the foreseeable future is 'buy and hold' with long-term tenants. 

This means that someone who makes $43,000/year would now eligible to buy this room condo, and have access to a vehicle through which to build equity in an asset as an alternative to paying rent.