Mainly, because structural issues can be a complete black hole of money, time, effort--and it can be very difficult (and costly) to anticipate just how much money, time, and effort they'll consume.First, you'll need to figure out what's causing the structural issues--it could be settlement at the footers caused by ground water, it could be wood rot or termites in a beam, it could be masonry degradation caused by water coming off the roof, it could be improper drainage of the roof, it could be tree roots degrading the foundation, it could be a plumber who cut out a critical joist to install a line 20 years ago, it could be improper construction, it could be any or all of those things, and it could be any number of other potential causes.

This house currently has no renter though they are actively looking to put one in the home.House 5. rents for $725/m the loan will cost me $13,000 as a down payment and $6,000 closing costs, and should cash flow approx $275/m after mortgage payment are made.House 6. rents for $725/m the loan will cost me $14,000 as a down payment and $6,000 closing costs, and should cash flow approx $250/m after mortgage payment are made.To be able to make this down payment I have the option to:HELOC my current home which cost me about $850/m in repayments OR I can find a hard money lender who would be interested in working with me, I am currently putting together a hard money lender proposal to show a couple family members that would basically look like this: No repayment in the first 12 months, all income going into an account to allow for repairs and emergencies, after that taking the cash flow and splitting it 75/25 to the lender paying it off in approximately 13 years, sooner if we can make extra payments on it and giving the lender an 8% return on his money(about .5% less than what I was quoted for my HELOC).ORI can potentially do a deal with my brother who is also looking to get into real estate and we split the properties 3 a piece.These properties are right outside of a military base in a low income city but have done well for the family currently owning them with consistent long term renters in them.I am looking for any advice as to whether or not this is a deal worth pursuing.

Hard money can help do acquisition + construction.

No skin (money, time, skills) in the game can lead to a disaster; lose property, cost you money, start over. 

Hi everybody,I am looking to purchase my first rental property and I do not think I am ready yet based on feedback I have received from multiple people.I do not have enough money for a downpayment on a conventional loan, DSCR loan.

Now, this is all dependent on your strategy (and money to implement it) but if I target off market properties in a state of disrepair then my down payment could be 0%...or I could target on market properties and use traditional financing and need 20% down.  

We learned about wholesaling initially and that sparked our curiosity about the many ways to make money in RE.

The other option is hard money, how good of an idea is using hard money for my first deal?

Now that I'm sitting on a lump sum of money I'm ready to invest again.

With seller financing, the person selling the house lends you the money, and you pay them back directly.