The lender ends up with a decent return on what is hopefully a lower risk transaction given the skin in the game of the borrower or the high spread of the deal.

Here is our scenario which I will follow with a question:I have some decent savings probably enough for a down payment on a deal.He has more even more cash.  

You can also get a decent amount of bang for your buck purchasing in fruit cove or Switzerland and pay much less but you will be away from the beach so it does depend on your goals.  

But it's all worth it because I'm trading a smaller portion of profit for something just as valuable; networking.I want to get into investing myself, and if I'm able to make connections at my age and through being a real estate agent, I will have a decent network around me by the time I'm able to make the plunge.

I think its a decent place to start but each property is very different.  

We both have decent paying jobs but we also have three little kids that we support so we aren't able to save a great deal.

I'll give it a shot.

Go find a decent property management company and get a PT job with them.  

If you don't see a real estate heavy resume, what can make you want to give someone a shot at working with you?

Calling all loan officers:I am not sure if anybody can assist me, but I am going to take a shot.