I plan to do one next year (refinanced out of my prior FHA on 4plex) for another 4plex that better suits my needs and neighborhood choice now.

You made a great choice to jump in!

Although it's not my first choice, I have purchased a property while on a business trip abroad.  

The friendship or the money because at one point you may have to make a choice. 

KyleWelcome to BP Kyle,Great choice of markets and you have a head start as you come from the area.Columbus has lots going for it.

It may or may not be your best choice for a job.But the underlying thought is the answer to your question about cash - find a job (maybe you already have one), and spend less than you make and accumulate the rest until you have enough to start buying properties.

Just make sure to analyze and make sure you make smart choices.

Each course has many topics, and each topic has it's section of reading that ends with a 10 question multiple choice quiz that you must pass in order to move on.

But nothing has been clear about "using my equity".The choices I can see are:1)Sell one TX house, 1031 the proceeds into 1/2 the price of 2 different houses and apply for 2 different loans.

And I am hoping to get the other 75% from lending institution.I heard this is popular and legal before 2008.