Check for down payment assistance programs.

But as a hard money lender they are better than the others I checked with.

I can't believe the automatic reply of ALL, not just @Tim Swierczek, would be to check the tax record for a why vs jumping down a rabbit-hole of weird assumption. 

Check the fannie mae website to confirm property qualifications.

will check this

Check out the Free Beginners Guide this should give you some ideas.Also check out posdcast #25 where four new investors talk about how they got started.

Make sure you're working with a reputable business and double check they have insurance.

It's also one of the best, if not the best, places to invest in the Midwest, check out the latest info below:PM us if you'd like to find out how we've helped hundreds of OOS investors invest logically in Detroit and avoid the scammers.

I am wanting to sell all my stocks and just take the cash since I don't want to drain the majority of my savings/checking purchasing real estate and have most of my money in stocks.

http://www.ngystones.com/ check them out.