It is very difficult to use leverage starting out, but once you have a portfolio of performing notes, there are numerous ways to leverage or borrow against it to buy more.Starting out with little to no money is always the hardest.

My long term plan is to build a real estate portfolio of multi family units in Chicago. 

If you want to grow your portfolio, i’m With @Cody L. and PMI is just an expense, keep up and send the letter as the house appreciates which could be a few years to ask for an appraisal to remove the PMI. if this is your only investment, then you can pay it down (you’ll get the money back when you sell)PMI is less than 1% of the loan balance so you’ll need to put another $44,650 down at this point to save $86 a month.

@Alex Bacon I have a great insurance connection for rental portfolios but he isn't a BP member yet.

If it's a good property that you want in your portfolio, then do it.  

Hi there, My name is Michael Zalkind, my company purchase properties to hold and flip in Orlando metropolitan. After trying three local management companies, we are looking for the best of the best in the area. Help w...

Ask me about my Fort Polk rental portfolio sometime... learned a lot of lessons on that one!

Currently, I’m looking to network and learn more about the business in the hopes of growing my real estate portfolio, with a focus on single and small multifamily rental properties in Philadelphia and the ultimate goal of moving into commercial/mixed use real estate. 

But he's hoping to find someone that's done this before that would have their own job portfolio to review. 

I recently was preapproved for a 500k loan and contemplating on whether i should expand my portfolio to acquire more units out in Allentown where i bought my first property, where prices are much lower, or focus on finding a 2/3 unit in NY i can house hack to move in with my girlfriend and build equity in the fast appreciating market of the Bronx.