Seems as if that is my biggest barrier to enter the real estate game.      

I need to buy one property before the end of the year and 4-5 next year and right now I cant find the one.... so like I said, there are a lot of assumptions, probably the biggest is property availability which meets your investment criteria. 

Only down side is sometimes neighbors feel inclined to call you about every problem but for the most part has been a cheap way to market my services in buying houses. 

Financing is my biggest hurdle, but I will get it done! 

That's the downside to college rentals, when they are looking it's great, when they are not, it's dead.Lastly, seller without numbers = they will be taking a larger haircut.

My biggest obstacle at the moment is coming up with the initial down payment of $125,00.00 for the bank .

If it is empty and trashed, I get the biggest discount, and can rehab and tenant it up to my specifications.

I suppose the biggest risk is, what every flipper risks, not being able to sell the property at the price you need, and not having a workable plan B.  

The biggest reason that they will lend you the money is that they have known you for 10, 20 or 30 years and trust YOU.

I'm awaiting delivery on Brandon Turner's book on Rental Property Investing at the moment as well.One of my biggest questions that I cannot find a solid answer to is about direct lenders/financing.