@Eli JacksonThe best sound advice I can give you on getting started is to cool your jets a bit and get $25K on the side that you could put in a little pile on the sidewalk, douse it in gasoline, light it up, and still be all right with your finances and your family.While you're busy getting your money straight you can learn more about real estate investing, make contacts, and refine your business plan.If saving $25K in 2-3 years is an insurmountable target for you and your family, real estate investing might not be the best of ideas for you.

@vinh tranNot sure if we are allowed to post links here but go check out a site called rich blocks poor blocks (.com) and you will see a cool color-coded interative map. 

Hey Zach...very cool on ATC...

Settings | Deactivate Version 4.8 | By ibericode | View details | Documentation | Upgrade to Premium Select Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter is a cool plugin to create your own subscriber list, to send newsletters, to build your business.

Super cool talking to a Grammy-winning investor!

I use concrete floors here in SoCal where we love modern design and cool concrete is a relief from hot temps.

I would plan to get a contractor in or a landscape designer to help you with ideas so that when the weather cools down you can get the "curb appeal".

What a cool thing to have a place like BiggerPockets to find others who once stood in your shoes to help make you feel more comfortable getting started in something new.

Am I drinking the bull cool aide?

It is cool that there are some alternatives popping up like the company I am talking about.