We've chosen to dive in completely self-funded...not the easiest or quickest route, but I think it works well for the plan and pace we've set for ourselves.  

I started my REI career at 43 only after my wife and I had well established careers with high income that provided extra cash for RE investment even after living our chosen lifestyle.

Oh and actually, we have chosen our escrow company in the past and the short sale bank had no problem with it..

@Austin Macon my best advice to you is to get a job that has to do with real estate. please don't get a part time job that has nothing to do with the career you have chosen.

I have a couple of potential deals in the works, but I haven't chosen a bank in Memphis.

Partners and investors are a bit different for me.First, partners are very valuable but must be chosen wisely.

We have chosen a vacation rental as our first Niche.

BTW, Florida IS a super priority lien state.You have chosen one of the highest risk arenas for investment.

I've chosen to go with nicer neighborhoods as local investors and property management companies have pushed me in that direction.

Although I plan to eventually employ a hybrid model, a couple primary reasons that I have chosen to pay cash is that it essentially reduces purchase price and ongoing costs as well as often you can obtain an overall lower purchase price .