Hi Luka,I had narrowed it down to Chattanooga or Knoxville areas. 

Im also 24 and new to REI, moving from Milwaukee to Knoxville this summer and hopefully will buy my first property down there!

Who are your core 4 in the Knoxville area: (1) Realtor, (2) Lender, (3) Contractor, (4) Property Manager?

My background: from an appraiser family, previously licensed and worked as an appraiser myself.  1 Flip.My hang-up: financingAs mentioned previously, I've got to set about 6k back for an emergency fund, need to have some for furnishing my home in Knoxville when I move for school and some other purchases, so I'd like to use around 20k to make the most that I can. 

Clarksville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville, and Jackson would be possible cities you could get decent rent. 

I plan to use the accumulated equity to start a new business/life in Knoxville TN.

I'm in Chattanooga right now but plan to move north up to Knoxville, TN area but I'm also looking at other areas of TN as well.

I am currently in negotiations to purchase an owner-financed commercial property in Knoxville, TN and in search of suggestions for reputable lender or investor that may be willing to do a cash-out refinance (long-term) on a small multi-family investment that I currently hold. 

I could have rented an apartment when I moved to Knoxville but decided to invest in a single family residence and live there while I fixed it up and learned the area.

Recently we've engaged with a realtor in Knoxville who has been willing to show us properties and fill in some details that aren't on the MLS listing.