Stay as close to downtown as you can afford.  

Great our REI community is staying connected !

Rent the bottom floor to a commercial tenant and second floor to another tenant and I stay on the top floor.

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck 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 the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

So long as it immediately appraises for circa $1.3M, if you pay the $900k all cash up front, you can apply for a "Delayed Financing Exception" which should get you all your cash back (ie. 70% of appraisal) straight away. https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/selling/b2...From the Sellers point of view, so long as your Lender is on board, they don't REALLY care if their money is from you or your bank at closing time - they just want their money guaranteed!

We stayed on air mattresses at a friends house.

I read a few articles on there every morning.Great way to stay up to date of the potential hot areas.

Here's the definitive guide to growth hacking.

And stay patient.  

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/Wishing you the best!