If I have a valuation on the property I can prepare myself to put it together.There are no multi unit comps over the last year to use as a valuation.

I'm sure you if search around the BP forum you will find alot of people who have spent thousands on REI programs/mentorship, only to find out when it's to late, that they were a waste of money and time.

Work with a broker who will actually teach you notes (rare because they usually teach what they want you to know in dealing with them) another way is to self study by looking at various brokerage sites, talking with other investors and reading the note forums, the last way is to pay some guru who may take you down a path of showing you some method that is often expensive.To my knowledge, there aren't any "note schools" or education programs that do not have some vested interest in how you do things or where you invest......that may change soon.Non-performing loans can be worthless.

Think about what you can realistically do now to grow your savings and build credit, at what point you'd have enough to take the next step, preparation needed to get to the next step, and five and 10 year or longer goals.I'm currently in a holding a pattern this year, so you could say my current business plan is to read more real estate books, be active on BP forums, post my adventures and ponderings on my BP blog, do more maintenance inspections on our rentals, dream ad explore five and 10 year options, and work to reduce expensive tenant turnover.

These unexpected scenarios are all hopefully unlikely, but they are realities in life that you and your family should be prepared for.

Purchased a SFR with savings and followed up by using the FHA program for a duplex I live in now.Went in for some sweet equity and took half the walls down to the lathes on one side (old plaster home) and like many... got a crash course in DIY.

Now I want to start investing without my family and using private money, I have been taking some webinars about raising capital and I'm kinda lost preparing deals, analysing properties and finding private lenders.

Attend some local real estate investment clubs and get to know a "Mortgage Broker" let him guide you through the available mortgage programs that would be best for you.

For me I would have to list the following:The BibleRich Dad, Poor DadSurprised by the Power of the Spirit and Surprised by the Voice of God (both by Jack Deere).I've also been positively changes by so many people, websites, and talk radio programs.

I'm looking into getting a certification program, but before going down that road and spending money I wanted to get some advice.Right now I want to learn about real estate investing- using other peoples money at a company.