To some extent when you work with their mentors (SFH/MFH) there's a leap of faith you have to take that the deal their bringing to you and the info they're telling you is legit and you should act now.

That is a pretty stupid blanket statement, it depends on the rent vs buy analysis for investors just as it does for everyone else, but, there is an underlying matter to lenders, a renter can take off, a property owner is less likely to.Lenders like to see ties to the community, ability to manage your own property before managing others if you're starting out, the like to see you having a little faith in equity thinking and appreciation with tax benefits of owning your own home, not a requirement, but for a new investor, it says much more owning than being a tenant.

There is the earnest money that sellers could get if you write with no contingencies, but that doesn't get the agent paid, so she's typically going to push the cash offers even in that scenario.While it is possible to close in two weeks (I had docs in title in 8 days last week :P ), most listing agents will look at that and believe you (or your lender) are over-promising in bad faith.

Thanks for sharing and you have helped me grow so much as well in my faith and in my business.  

Typically, a bird dog (property scout) is paid a service fee in good faith that the investor will do what he said he would do once the deal is closed.

The way the rules of nature work you have to cross the line in order to see it...almost like a leap of faith.

The other sad thing that I've seen over the years is that most people will go from guru to guru and never learn any one system well enough and then give up and lose faith.  

That said, I am completely new to the personal side of investing in real estate and thought joining this community might help me get started and gain the confidence to take a leap of faith.

Have a Good Faith estimate from Citibank and will reduce my payments by 300 month but extend 7 years back to 30year.

I want to deal mostly with people who recognize the numbers and quality of the deal and put their faith in that rather than my ability to sell myself.