Practically you can search Zilllow's map with the school and crime layers enabled.

The most traditional avenue that most banks/credit unions will enable are the typical refinance (cash out refinance) to access equity. 

It would be great to meet for lunch on a Saturday sometime.Bleu, you don't happen to be the art teacher at MHS, do you? 

I'd prefer 10 year loan but I'd be willing to do 30 year if it enabled us to have another rental. 

A little bit about my search.BRRRR looking for maximum value addPre-approved for 185k hard money loan (although, from what I see I'll be able to get my feet wet for much less)Quality tenants are my biggest concern(looking in "B" neighborhoods, think nurses teacher working professionals etc)Will be OOS and using PMI'm happy to discuss my situation in more detail.

@Ray Johnson great question -- we research and select the best available third-party real estate technology  providers and enter into exclusive relationships to create tech-enabled funds which give us a unique competitive edge designed to enhance returns to investors.

I had the best teacher, the school of hard knocks.I think today it is much easier with BP and youtube to learn and get free information.

There isnt a whole lot that you can do as an investor, other than support programs that enable housing to be affordable, and be a part of those programs.

Two VA loans (one for each of us) were beneficial, and moving regularly enabled us to leave a trail of rental and flip houses behind.  

To be specific, my steps to fully get into this world so far have been: Buy my first home Sign up to BiggerPockets website Listen to the first 5 podcasts (loving it)Send this messageEvaluate specialized Masters in R.E and meet with alumni and teachers plus attend one class as a guest observerMeet with friends working in the industry (mainly working for big Funds and Developers)Bought the 13 most widely recommended books in R.E.