If you haven't done so already, there's a Beginner's Guide to Investing (top of page, under "Learn") you might want to read, along with several podcasts to listen to.Have fun, ask questions, and I'll see you on the forums!

By teaming up with an experienced investor, not only can you learn what you need to know to raise funds and do deals on your own, but you also start building your credibility kit on top of your mentors.

Same for being a RE agent, you don't reinvent the wheel, you look at what top producers do and you do the same (better).If I were you I'd focus on the agent side of things for 6 months to a year.

I typically put up 1/4" drywall over the top of wallpaper.

Your area is a top emerging market.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

The thing I do not like are the old pilot light stove tops.

They prefer carpet or hardwood in the bedrooms.You could possibly tile the upstairs bath but make sure to use non-skid tiles with the grain on top to help prevent slip and falls.If they wear down the carpet just use a cheap top carpet with a good pad underneath and it will FEEL more expensive on the feet to the tenant.

find the top 4-5 offices in your area, call and ask for broker or office manager and see if they can recommend an agent in their office that deals with mainly investors.

While we hope to someday go for students to get the higher income they bring, we want to start by seeing if we can get a family in the upstairs unit of one 2-family - especially given the nicely renovated condition and unusual combination of central location linked to top suburban school district as a possible attractor.Being new to this, I've spent the past few days reading a lot of info on this site to get educated on the rental process - very helpful.

Consider Lowell as an opportunity.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.