Wealth-drivers are appreciation, debt pay-down (ie. principal payments) and tax shielding.

Getting one property and cashflowing it will be a challenge. you can try seller financing but you are still going to be highly levered which just enhances the risk that you are taking on.The best way to grow is to focus on managing your rental, saving money through your W2 and crushing that - if you are a realtor you will make more crushing it as being a realtor than over leveraging real estate - then save for down payment and buy slowly. its not a rush.

Credit (loans) become much more difficult to obtain and if available you pay a MUCH higher interest rate with a much higher down payment requirement2.

You can live in one unit and rent out the other for little to no down payment.

You end up having to sell to someone with higher down payments, better credit, better operating plan, and 100% investors who never want to pay top prices.  

True re the prior poster, re this helping the seller save their credit, if you buy sub-to you will dramatically raise their FICO since the mortgage will show on-time payments.  

FHA loans can be a good option here, allowing you to put down a lower down payment.## NetworkingNetworking is key in real estate investing.

Rent to Retirment (RTR) has very recently announced the RTR academy that investors can join for a one time payment to learn everything about investing.

This will be helpful for hosts who have already set up their payments with Alachua County.Despite the oversupply, I still feel there are plenty of opportunities in Gainesville, both for STRs and LTRs.If you’re a current or aspiring real estate investor in Gainesville, feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, and stories.

Low down payment (3.5%) is attractive, but comes with mortgage insurance and might not offer the best rates.