I hail from the Appleton area, currently running single family homes myself. 

Having said that, I believe you buy in times of distress and ride the recovery.  

This is where you can come in and help the mentor by providing some downpayment and then ride on your mentor's experience in rehabbing properties.

I specifically hail from Cleveland.

It is like learning to walk or ride a bike.  

LMFAO WTF kind of hail would we have to get to damage aluminium siding?

We started so late - we have grandkids - and were willing to take bold steps to ride the California market. 

It sounds like you've had a rough ride and your heart wasn't in it to begin with, a reason why so many don't venture into real estate or want to become a landlord, I hear it all the time.  

I'm a Property Manager full time and I'm close enough to work I ride my bike, Scott's book is my bible right now and so much of the content I'm applying now and was before. 

And you should also have plenty of cash reserves as well, so you can ride out the bad months.To answer your question about loans you can't get conventional loans as easily.