And once you get over the first hump and get your first property everything will get easier and fall into place.

Quit pretending you are a victim. 

Also looking at Wilmington NC on a tip from a friend if New Haven is too pricey (Last BP Podcast with Steve Garner from Wilmington was super helpful and full of good tips)    Haven't found/reached out to local REIA yet, but aim to this fall.  

Also, keep in mind, we often times fall into the trap of thinking rents will always go up.  

I will also be moving out of my personal residence and into a new one later this fall and attempting to rent that one out as well.

I plan on learning as much as I can this Fall/Winter and diving in next Spring/Summer.  

Let everything else fall to the side and you will find your $25k.P.S.

I don't know if it falls into the 'jack of all trades, master of none' category... 

@Jennifer McElliottI think #1 will be your biggest obstacle - the fact that you are not familiar with the area and also that you don't have a team in place to help you find, rehab and manage the properties, as opposed to your existing contact where you live.I think there is nothing wrong with looking at AL once you move there for opportunities, but you have the WA market to always fall back to since you know it well.

I pick it up, place it in the back of the truck and ratchet strap it in place.  5 min later while driving down a straight, smooth road the oven (still strapped in) falls over and the glass bust out of the door.