Go to REI meetings and see if any investors want to get out of the game and want to sell their properties. 

You can look into self-directed IRA loans and that might suit your needs.But to many people's surprise, you don't always need the huge downpayment to get in the game.

So you bought a video game token for $50?

I am currently a realtor in Chicago and am looking to get back into the investor side of the the game. 

Great game.

You don't need to play the transfer game, every normal checking deposit is swept directly towards your remaining balance automatically. 2.75% is a great rate for a Heloc, I wonder if that might be a "teaser rate".

Pretty amazing technology and a game changer for short term rentals in particular.

Get proper insurance on your deal, and you should be fine.Welcome to the game!

I am a young investor and have been doing my own research on the topic and even got a job at a private lending firm so that I can learn even more, but I feel like I am ready to actually jump in and get in the game.

This is a get rich slowly game, and starting out with 1-2 houses per year for a few years is perfectly fine.