Update: I should have hit the refresh button before I posted this post.

Taking a significant amount out of my IRA for the down payment     - I know that i am able to withdraw up to 10k without being hit with the withdrawal penalty, but would like to see if anyone has been down this route.     2.

I have been trying to do some research on how to acquire lists and it sounds like absentee owners lists from a website are the most efficient way to get rocking and rolling.

@Vinay HIt is a totally separate agreement.

I'm just now starting to save money and put it away for my down-payments.Now that you understand this, I really want to hit the round running with my REI career consisting of multi-family rental properties. 

This is motivation to hit the ground running and to just get back up until I’m able to keep a steady pace myself!

We are in the process of purchasing another 4-unit multi family, but we are hitting issues with the lender. 

You don't need to hit a home run your first deal, hit a double and then scale into more complicated deals.

Start over with a new lender (if you're working with a mortgage broker, have her start over with a new lender), two months means enough time for two clean bank statements without any crazy money movement to hit prior to closing.

Also, at least one of the counties there is going through a county-wide tax reassessment currently, which is going to greatly change some of the tax bills, so keep an eye on that if the Poconos is a consideration.I can't speak to South Florida specifically, but broadly Florida was one of the worst hit markets in the country in the last recession, it might be a consideration to pick up a place down there during the next market bust if you aren't in a hurry.