Hello,My friend and I have been discussing it for a while and have finally decided to partner together to do real estate.

I'm Andrew Geib, currently I'm working as a lean six sigma engineer based in the Aurora/Naperville area. 1) Favorite real estate book: just picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad for the first time2) Favorite non-real estate book: Freakonomics3) Advice for new investors: seeing as I am a new to real estate, get started now rather than later. 4) Hobbies: cars, I autocross my daily driver whenever I can, I'm resorting a classic mustang, and I frequently go to car shows all across Chicagoland. 

Also don't hesitate to share the information to your friends and families. http://riverstonetogether.com/ThanksVijai

Suggest you network with investors and/or your local REI Club to find an investor friendly "flooring" guy.

And some lenders are not going to be a friendly as others. 

@Alex Rand, You have plenty of options and a good commercial agent will be your best friend to determine best course.  

He's investor friendly.

When me and a few friends had just a few units near each other we'd be like "hey.

It is very scary and I wish you and your family and friends the best of luck!

So my net recommendation is to look for markets where you know someone (friend from work, a place you went to college, where a cousin lives, etc.)