I think of DFW the same but not as many O&G companies and a bit more heavily toward the financial and technology sector. 

I got my feet wet on the forums here a few years back, but realized I had some big hurdles to overcome (i.e. get my financial house in order) before I could "get started".

Kind of hard learning things in a area where no one teaches, genuinely helps or let along want to give advice on financial freedom so i thank BIGGERPOCKETS for being my second home and this is my biggerpockets family.

And also offered was the opportunity to meet his established network to further my understanding and to accelerate the investment property buying process.It is one small step in the journey towards achieving goals and financial freedom and it is one that I highly recommend to other newbies.

Make your plan, map it out, understand the financial impact that some vacancy, turnover and unit refurb costs will have on your cashflow and decide the pace that's right for you.With a staged plan to raise rents slowly or force some turnover by not renewing existing leases, I'm sure you can get the rents up to market within six months to a year.Good luck!

The banker I have worked with has required me to provide a personal financial statement, copies of past US tax returns, work contract showing my present income and other documentation (foreign mortgage) to show my monthly cashflow.Hope this helps.

I really like the near passive cash flow and financial security they provide.

One of his mortgagors (borrower/occupant) has some serious financial issues due to the death of her husband. 

Traditionally banks loan on appraised or purchase, whichever is lower...you may be describing a hard money lender...that's a different ballgame altogether...It's impossible (in 99.999%) of all real estate acquisitions to use financing and acquire a property with no money out of pocket...best you could do is HML if you're flipping this...you may scrape by with points and fees...If you're using HML you will have to sell the property or settle the debt with a re-finance...re-fi's are typically 70% LTV...and completely dependent upon your personal financial situation, DTI...easy to get burned if you don't have capacity or the value is not there...and this is an expensive asset.A conventional lender can't lend if seller financing is involved...lending constraints...

A little about myself, I have a background in sales and marketing (just moved to the tri-state area from Dallas last year), and I have decided to put my financial well being in my own hands.