Hey BP Community,So I'm a newbie to investing and I just stumbled across Civic Source with all their enticing possibilities.

You might stumble forward or you might be a roaring success.

@Jerry Johnson I'm not a fan of stumbling forward when it comes to business. 

The success stories are truly so inspiring.Makes me feel that I can do anything I set my mind to.When I feel stuck, these stories inspire me to keep going, great blog and great website altogether.I was so glad when I stumbled upon this website in my search for more information and I now have my earphones plugged in all the time while at work just listening to your podcasts then going home and re-listening while this time taking notes of things that jumped out at me, valuable tips to use in grown my confidence, experience and knowledge as a newbie landlord and real estate investor.Your site has put in me a fire to really go after my dream of owning rental property, growing my portfolio and eventually taking this on full time.Please keep these stories coming.I love too that you vary your podcasts between men and women, for being a woman, I feel empowered when I see other women excel in what was primarily a male dominated arena.Thanks again for this valuable resource (site, forum and blog).

Anytime I meet someone new I try to bring up real estate investing in the hopes of stumbling on a deal. 

I stumbled upon my first house by reading a church newsletter advertising a hunting cabin.

My wife and I have been exploring the option of real-estate investing, and through the advice of friends we stumbled upon the BiggerPockets podcast.

Having a potential buyer stumble upon the before pictures and original purchase price wouldn't help things.  

Just starting in the business and before I find a great deal and blindly stumble into a lenders office, what are the things that private, hard money, and transactional lenders are looking to see in a deal and a borrower?

you have to contact the company.but based on what the company has posted and others.. the deals because of the inherent risk and I don't blame DHM at all.. they have to be full on slam dunks..its rare a no money beginner stumbles into a slam dunk.. that's my point.bottom line is if you have no capital to operate your not ready to do this.. this is a capital intense business and undercapitalized business go broke every day.Ergo is my personal opinion that this model of charging those that just don't know what they don't know 3k up front with no vetting of them .. this companies makes a ton of dough just on the 3k.. and many never get funded .. that I am positive is a fact.