Lately I have been encountering clients whom think that they can acquire very substantial funding without paying any out of pocket expenses before the close of the loan.

I too started with residential single family. there was only so much i could learn from a book, and getting one house definitely allowed me to at least have a "practice run".Plus, with some of the serious hiccups we have encountered over the two years since we bought that one (and others), I would not have made it through if I was banking on my paycheck to cover the repairs on a larger building.

Most agents I've encountered are clueless about investing.

As i am sure you are aware get ready for sticker shock when you look at prices here compared to Toledo area.

One of the things I've encountered so far is you really have to swoop in.

Even though i am in seattle, i am happy to help qith any legal issues you might encounter regarding washington law.

Allow enough time to repair anything you encounter, or train your tenant on how to keep their voucher.The big difference in investing in the city and county is the risk and reward.  

I am encountering the same situation in Florida.

@Jason Genovese We've encountered basically three kinds of lower income neighbourhoods:blue collar - moderate houses, a sense of neighbourhood exists, crime is not necessarily any higher than {lower} middle class areas.

I would have never known to be in the niche I'm in without the experiences I encountered.