Or do you do better with an external accountability buddy? 

My buddy Mike, for instance, found his first investment property through a tip from a local barista and talk about being at the right place at the right time.Regarding your credit score, while higher scores can open more doors, I've seen folks make strides with scores in the mid-600s.

My buddy's 3-flat just sold for $100K more than what he paid for it a year earlier.

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

I have a buddy who offered sponsorship, but he has been doing it for over a decade and maybe only sells one house a year, and never to investors.

Good luck buddy! 

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

I stayed with a buddy in Roppongi Minato  when I was there.  

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

I have a couple buddies that are geological engineers.