I've been investing in real estate for a couple years now and have got 5 properties under my belt. 

although if you can move in an out really really quick that can mitigate.when I ran my HML in PDX  the guys I saw pay the most were the smaller rehab contractors who were basically buying a job.. they figured if they could make wages plus a profit.. they would take on skinnier deals.... those deals would not work for an investor who does not strap on a tool belt.

I know there is one that seems very adamanet about having one deal under your belt.....honestly, I'd just go anyway lol.

We're already in the program with over a year's worth of payments under our belt.

Also tightening the personal finance belt can be helpful to maybe save a lil more and open up more of the budget...

The equivalent of the MLS in CRE is Loopnet and I've only sold two out of the 30 deals under my belt through Loopnet.

https://www.facebook.com/spokanecity/photos/a.2412...The forum/meeting is at 6:00pm-7:30pm at 1603 N Belt.  

I retire in 3.5 years and I want to have at least 2 rental properties under my belt by then.

You will probably be better served picking one location and knowing it well rather than using a wide net of locations till you get some deals under your belt.

You can get COMMERCIAL dehumidifiers and blowers off of ebay in package deals.