Im passionate about financial independence and real estate and its nice to meet people who have similar views and interests.  

Check with a local independent commercial insurance agent that handles benefits, they will have a pretty good idea of the options open to you as a business.When we've done the math, a higher deductible plan usually wins out vs. higher premiums/lower deductible (especially if you can use an HSA).  

And make every transaction independent of the rest.

Have been religiously listening to the BP Podcasts to and from work everyday (thanks @Brandon Turner and @Joshua Dorkin), and "lurking" on the forums for the past 12 months - today marks the day that I officially join the BP forums :) A little about myself - born and raised in LA/OC, hoping to achieve financial independence through passive income generated with buy and hold rental real estate.

Hello,I am soon to begin a new chapter in my life after serving in the Army for 5 years and would like to start investing in real estate to gain financial independence.

Some independent mortgage companies, that aren't merely the mortgage division of a big bank, will have loan originators that specialize in renovation loans and renovation loans only. 

My family invests independent of my wife and I and between both we have purchased at highs and lows. 

First is to find a good house to live and second is to achieve financial independence through real estate

It's a fair point, the only guy who needs to see our stuff is the independent appraiser.

Congrats on taking action and working towards your financial independence!