Under Wisconsin Fair Housing laws, those receiving public assistance are a protected class, meaning that if you were to say "no Section 8", you could be fined or prosecuted.  

I live fairly close, so let me know if I can be of any assistance.

We go over this topic in depth during lease signing, and without exception, the tenant says "that's fair". 

A lot of investors are having a tough time with appreciation plays penciling out right now because (1) they feel that prices are elevated (2) their prediction for future appreciation is not as high or as predictable as it has been for them in the past and (3) the cash flow is low.Real estate is local though and there are opportunities at every point in the cycle (#7 above). 

From what I have read, wholesaling and lease options tend to require little money to start, but I also know that the lease option is a fairly advanced method.

My question is if there is a way to obtain a home through other investors or if I can use hard cash myself and end up living in the home fairly soon.

However if you make it to his big event which does cost a fair amount of money .. the content is quite detailed and you will learn how to or what to do to find rehab and resell.. and a lot of detail about rehabbing from all major components costs etc.. one of the big rooms is a deconstructed house and he has experts in from each trade.. 

My area is very mixed; very low income to fairly high income.

I am partnering up with a friend, but don't know how to make it a fair proposition. 

Most tenants are fairly good but when you get a bad one in Ontario they can very easily bankrupt any landlord with the full support and assistance of our government.If you have a choice I would advise not investing at all over selecting Ontario.