We have two kids and are trying to get one or two more house hack rentals under our belts before more kids come along and slow the process down ;).

I know guys who went out and got websites, company logos, all this cool stuff but still haven't got a deal under their belt.

@Dmitriy Fomichenko @George Blower This is an interesting topic.

What I mean is that I eventually want to do rehab/fix and flips, but before I dive head first into that I want to get a couple of 'practice' deals under my belt, learn the lingo, the process, the paperwork and such.

I currently have 2 SFR rental properties under my belt and have had more than my fair share of interesting experiences.  

If you've got some miles under your belt I would say investigate the offer from CityWorth Mortgage.  

Think belt and suspenders.  

I do not have a good recommendation for you, but a blower fan in a typical furnace will run you around $400-600 depending on the size of the motor.

If you do not have an agent, the listing agent simply gets paid double and you have no one in your corner representing you (lets not kid ourselves about "dual agency").Experienced REI that do not need agents, because they've got a dozen deals under their belt, will sometimes use this to in effect bribe listing agents to push their offer over others, but that kind of only works if you have some specific reason to believe that the seller is an idiot. 

With not many transaction under my belt I like having his support.