@Brian Barfoot I'm in Silicon Valley and pretty much everybody does everything with a smart phone.  

I had a couple meetings with the two portfolio lenders I work with, and they agreed to back me with a competitive loan if I was able to swing the deal (not together, they will be competing on terms to get the loan).With my lender assurance and projections and story in hand, I approached people of means that I knew, mostly from my non-real estate professional career (information technology) plus a few connections I had made in RE.  

For hobbies I love technology (programming & video games), fishing, and traveling.

Even though it's "low money down" you obviously still have to do it smart and have money saved up etc.

Surely it's not 15% upcharge, way more than that, if they're smart, they have to cover in case you sue them in small claims court because they broke your $2,000 vase, you have all their info now. 3.

Anytime there is only one company paying the salaries of the towns people, I wonder if it is smart to invest there. 

http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

We use Fama/French three-factor portfolios through Dimensional Funds to construct our portfolios.Bogleheads is a fantastic forum full of very smart people.  

Not everyone is that smart ;)

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.While you wait for feedback from local Chicago wholesalers please review the guide below before embarking on your chosen niche.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?