I personally know two experienced flippers/rehabbers and would like to potentially partner with them/get some rehabbing experience under my belt so I can learn and have something to show my experience.

It's quick work with a blower to clear them off, they will premature age your roof if you don't. 

Once you have some deals under your belt, your experience will let you get more favorable hard money financing.

Lenders have seriously tightened their belts. 

The security of the degree that it will provide is an important factor in the weighing process, and to me I find it to be beneficial to have that under my belt. 

For the most part I always recommend a house hack to get started since you have to live somewhere and it's a great strategy to get your first property under your belt.

Put up 50% he puts 50% get that under you're belt.

Hi BP,I have studied Cleveland-neighborhood-grades for awhile now, but I am still not feeling confident understanding what I could get for rent in certain areas with a duplex.My original search was based solely in Lakewood and I was confident I knew how much I could get for rent in regard to area/condition because I have a close friend with a few under his belt there, but I have now expanded my search as far west as the Lakewood border down to north of Middleburg Heights. 

Having a few under the belt or at least some private lenders of have lent to you helped, as it shows a track record.

Without having any investments properties under my belt will it be hard to find someone to work with me?