What kind of investments were you planning on focusing on?

You saved me a lot of time!!

Of course, if you self-manage and DIY most of the repairs, you might save a good chunk.

He actually reached out to me during the GRC when savings yields were .5%  Tougher these days to get private lenders with 5% risk-free money markets available, but you might try Randy Cooper.

I am going in with my eyes open and we shall see - I am a cynic like you, but plan for the worst is my way of viewing the investments

It's a great place to network and meet agents, lenders, wholesalers, attorneys, etc.Not yet, but definitely plan too.

I've heard of high yield savings accounts paying close to 5% now too. 

I will plan to reach out to in the future to better connect.

If you're planning to invest less than $400-500k USD, the properties you could find within that budget will not stand out in the market, and you'll face high competition in the STR (Short-Term Rental) market.

I think the bank would require a greater % down than 25%, unless there was a super solid plan to increase revenue and/or decrease expenses very quickly.