Yep for one especially in the early stages a hard credit pull would not be useful, just have them do soft checks for the time being and opt out of credit solicitation: www.optoutprescreen.com I could be biased... that said typically working with one lender than can help regardless of where you're looking and having a relationship with that will provide the easiest and most cost effective route long term. 

@Otis Clayton To partner in real estate effectively, establish a clear structure like an LLC for liability protection or a Joint Venture for single projects.

You can look at a mobile home and see it as an easy rental with new carpet, trim and some paint but there are other bigger uglier expenses that can come up.Roof Replacement, soft floors (water damage) in kitchens and bathrooms- most floors are particle board, exterior door replacement (special order), underbelly insulation falling, bad hot water tanks with rotten floor underneath (real joy), bad windows (water again), bad bloated siding (water), water damaged base frame around perimeter of home, cracked tubs (special orders) and frozen pipes (Good luck finding a plumber to come work on a mobile home- they do not exist). 

@Catherine Emert - In Virginia too, and likely in every state, tenants are responsible for damage they cause, including a pest infestation.  

I am a strong advocate for their effectiveness allowing you to do substantially more with your money. 

Plus for its high cash flow potential, utilizing a 1031 exchange to reinvest gains effectively made this experiment a relatively low risk for me.

Most alternative investments work just like pretty much all RE niches work when deployed effectively.   

Georgia, a state not mentioned, offers a 20% penalty so if the encumbered deed is redeemed after 1st month your effective rate of return is 240%!

So I would say to continue to develop yourself at work and learn how to invest effectively on the side.

This alone was most effective.