However, you have to start somewhere and you can migrate this data to more robust solutions later on.

With a robust growing economy, multiple military bases, and what seems like an endless amount of quality tenants competing for rental homes.

The market is robust.

Philly had a lot of growth pre 08 and once again is resuming growth.  

I'll also likely have to blow my entire budget on one property and also suffer low cash flow all in the hopes of receiving robust appreciation .

Bill as you like to say that you were an FDIC examiner whom I am happy for you, but I have not looked at your resume in order to determine if you should be speaking about lending or financing, or if you should just read the posting and sit on the side line.

@Jim K.I have found that most tenants do not want an eviction on their resumes.

Maybe to start if the costs don't hurt my margins terribly i'll use the investments under 20k on projects with a quicker turn around to build some trust with the investors and to build a resume, then raise the min. 

But it's wise to keep that slush fund robust so your tenants don't have to wait for you to muster up the cash to pay for the A/C to be repaired. 

My question is, how do I go about using my profits from house flipping to create a spiffy resume for banks to lend on?