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.

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. 

I thought it would be extremely formal guys with briefcases and way over my head. i felt it rapidly grew my network, knowledge basis, and confidence that has propelled me to be successful in acquiring 300+ units over the last 4 years. 

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.

Thanks for the heads up.

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

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

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

At the end of the day everyone just wants a safe place to be able to lay their heads each night.

I think as @Michael Plaks mentioned I think you need to clear your head and just focus on deals right now.