BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

I'm focusing on buying and selling mortgage notes. 

@Keith RichardsonIt depends on your risk tolerance and ability to stay organized.

There is a ton of risk for the seller as we know in these deals and there are bad actors in these deals as well.. ran into many of them buy sub to never pay of the mortgage rip the rents and down the road..some off those folks got criminally charged and got prison time..

I am looking into buying a duplex in Hyatt Park and wanted to get some advice on what contractors/suppliers I could contact that have investor friendly pricing for kitchen cabinets, countertops, and bathroom vanities.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I generally agree that buying SFH as first investment is an easy way to test the waters; however, if you’re set on REI I suggest buying a duplex or quad.

I have been trying to buy my first property  without luck.

As you gather all this information, I would continue bettering the process and continuing to buy deals.

I can't buy fuel with looser scratch off's.