That's getting pretty close to my 20% cutoff.I don't have any ability to get investor loans a 6%.

It's also likely true that the banks don't like the fact that individuals have the opportunity to profit (sometimes greatly) off of their non-performing assets, and they are trying to limit the ability of private citizens gaining on their loss.

Look at the growth of the Fed Gov't since the War on Terror kicked off.

My final question is, how will having an FHA loan affect our ability to get an investment loan?

I also assume that local housing price trends, area growth, and rental price trends could be acquired by hitting up local R/E brokerages.

I found that decent networking abilities works just as well as having your licence.

Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.....Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce.

Low taxes and solid job prospects should drive a lot of growth here.

We're seeing population and job growth.

Figure out how you're going to screen tenants, both just as tenants (credit report, criminal background, eviction check, employment, etc, look in the landlording forum for a sticky thread on this topic) as well as for their ability to buy.