I'm new to the game but I have been prospecting for deals for a while now.

Good luck, Its a dangerous game.

That would be a game changer is you can use it to buy your second home. 

Investors want to know why you’re the best person to execute a strategy.Strategic Partnerships – Aligning with experienced operators, property managers, or development partners can accelerate growth and boost credibility.Build a Strong Online Presence – Having a professional website, investor portal, and well-documented case studies can go a long way in attracting both investors and deals.Raising capital and scaling a real estate business takes time, but with your background and passion, you’re already ahead of the game.

Yes, having tenants pay ACH via a Tenant Portal software is best, but not all will cooperate and some will play games that result in NSF charges.We allow tenants to deposit cash/check/money order directly at our bank into our account.Many Class C & D tenants have challenges adapting to unfamiliar ways to pay and is often not worth the hassle (and possible evictions) to get them to change:(

All these strategies work, but the less money you have, the more you need to know the game and surround yourself with good people. $25K can absolutely get you started—it’s all about finding the right approach for your situation.

Real estate is a long game :)Food for thought, especially with a family.  

Some of my colleagues and friends bought millions, others tens of millions, and some hundreds of millions (or Billions) during that period.Real estate is a funny game - it tends to go up, yes, but it does not always go up, and it can go nowhere for a decade or more, as a lot of apartment complex purchasers from 2021 are about to find out. 

Depending on the market, A game room can give you a similar ROI with much less liability. 

With rent control in NJ, yeah, it’s mostly a waiting game if tenants don’t leave.