To start your journey, I recommend focusing on building your network by joining meetups and engaging in online forums, while narrowing down your first investment based on your budget, market, and goals.

I attend one in Frederick which is online right now. 

Use your skills to network with local investors and professionals by attending meetups in the Conroe and Houston area, joining online forums, and connecting with property managers or realtors.

Assuming you sold the home at the end of 5 yearsYour NET ROI would be:0% appreciation: 10.93%1% appreciation: 12.13%2% appreciation: 13.33%3% appreciation: 14.53%This ROI calculation takes into account taxes, insurance, selling costs, repairs (calculated at $3500) through out the lease.

Based on what my real estate agent thinks that this quote will be, roughly, and the after repair value, it looks like I could buy this property in cash, spend a month or two fixing the damage, and then put a mortgage for roughly 1.6x what I paid for it and thus have a cash flowing property at a few hundred dollars per month and a little more money in my bank account ready for a down payment on the next deal.

David, are your credit literacy and other presentations posted somewhere online?

I operate 14 properties from the same checking account.

If you are able to setup a credit card identical to your accounts payable accrual account, it should operate the same.  

I just had to take extra money out of my personal account and funnel into my rental account. 

Brian Spears’ account still looks open to me.