The sweet spot for us is sub 400k and we are looking mostly in NH, central MA and possibly RI for deals.  

@Nick D.We are local to the area, I'm from Springfield MA.

If you look at the demographics of the city, we’re not growing but we’re rapidly changing”.Large institutional money has not found the Pittsburgh market yet.

@Mike Levene I am a 2x house hacker in Beverly, MA, just north of Boston, and yes, the cost is brutal, but the appreciation is worth it.

If your rate is higher than institutional rates - they'll be incentivized to refinance when possible. 

@Zach Denny - I agree - chances are the institutional lender won't be comfortable with an owner-financed 2nd and 100% combined loan to value.

Yeah make sure to thoroughly conduct background checks on private institutions you lend from.

Dealt with Greek institutions, business practices, and customs?

I do pretty much like more SD than SA, but as you asked, the money that I have to invest it aint that much, goes between 30-40K to start and will be definitely for long term, as I said, I´m a beginner in this business in the US, as commons says I´m at the baby steps stage right now.

Whenever I am having an issue with financing, I normally reach out to local institutions.