If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing and The BiggerPockets Podcast.

Hi...My name is Jeff...I was wondering if anyone has a copy Ray Alcorn's Dealmakers guide they would be willing to sell used....I am a newbie without deep pockets...at least not yet...any help would be appreciated....you can email me direct at:[email protected]

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

The guides on this site from Brandon Turner are invaluable...but otherwise, what is your focus?

I am a recently converted Mustachian, and am loving the life so far - still have a long way to go, though.I must say that I am in the middle of reading this site's beginner's guide.  

The key is know the best neighborhoods and that takes work or someone you can trust to guide you.

Other paper plays have created more equity that, again, I've largely guided into notes.

Welcome @Nancy Finley   While dont haev much expereince as an agent; BP did write a  guide ; The Real Estate Agent’s Ultimate Guide to Working with Investorshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/21/topics/9860... 

Here are a few recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing Check out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/ If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select that person below.

The potential for making mistakes is still there, but limited by having a good real estate agent who knows the area and will guide you to properties that fit your criteria.