My name is Justin and I am slowly trying to get back in the game.

The phone should also have call waiting and either an answering machine or voice mail system.

I say ok, I think I can come up with say 10K to get "skin in the game" which should cover the 4 points easily on the type of deal I am looking at.

Do what you know and enjoy, getting creative doesn't necessarily make you more money, it likely means you are taking on more risk and playing a game you aren't prepared for.Everyone's goal in real estate is to create a machine, where in, you stick $1 in the front and it spits $1.20 out the back. 

Usually it's a case of beer, or tickets to a Cardinals game, but never cash.

I like your game plan Matt!  

Seems like a good way to get your feet wet, get in the game, and start saving up for the next one.

Go meet with someone at a local firm with "Lending" or "Mortgage" or "Funding" in the company name (that right there tells you their #1 priority isn't "open another checking account" or "establish an ATM machine location" at an institutional level), that lives and lends in the community they serve.

I am 24 and new to the investment game.

This seems to be a long game.