If you clear your head to the idea that it is possible to lose money, but that there are ways to mitigate the possible downsides, you will be much more likely to take action. 

Meetups + books + podcasts are the way to go, but meetups are the most crucial to your confidence level and to know people like you do this every day.I agree with @Nathan Gesner on the heads up, when you say you are new and want help, everyone has a pitch, that's why meetups are so good - most have no pitch, just networking, unless it's run by a hard money lender.I have a couple friends who invest in the Lehigh Valley that I can connect you with when the time comes.

in some markets thats only 3 or 4 transactions.. to me of course I am highly biased because I started as an agent at 18 and got my brokers at 20 and only worked for myself the last 48 years.. having access to MLS and list my own deals more than pays for any over head.

Y'all don't want to learn what or how it happened, all y'all do is look at the title and  beat a SO over the head with it.

Just a heads up, a lot of the down payment assistance programs come with higher interest rates and other hooks.

Thanks for the heads up.

Take the 4 Hour Work Week approach and head off to somewhere in exotic😉

Hey @Kristin Solbach, first get the loophole thing out of your head.

Its value has continued to appreciate in the rapidly growing Fourth Ward neighborhood, making it a reliable and profitable investment that aligns perfectly with my long-term portfolio strategy.

Its value has continued to appreciate in the rapidly growing Fourth Ward neighborhood, making it a reliable and profitable investment that aligns perfectly with my long-term portfolio strategy.