My first real estate purchase was when I was in high school and had my first credit card I maxed it out (bought a vacant lot on Ebay lol).

Not sure why you had such a big impact, did you check nothing else went on to contribute, cards compromised?

., credit card debt).

Borrow against your credit card if you have to before they condemn your bldg.

I have a friend that's like this, he has no credit card (only atm) and almost nothing is in his name for various reasons.

The interest rate is presumably lower than all of your other consumer debt credit cards, student loans, car loan etc....

My short term goal is to pay off our credit card and car loan balance and begin to save up enough capital for a down payment on a rental property.  

Allow me to explain; if you paid the individual with a check, credit card or money order (as long as you kept the tracking portion) you are in control.

@Ivan Mares,We fund most of our renovations  through credit cards, and then quickly refinance them with an equity loan... my credit went from an 806, to I have seen it go as low as 574, (all b/c funding renovations)... the secret to doing it is make sure you have a few dummy credit cards you never touch, so that way your credit limit ratio is low.  

Had he gotten a post card or a letter he would most certainly have taken them up on it.