There are many experienced investors on here that will analyze your deal and make sure it is structured correctly.So in summary, the first thing I would do as a real estate investor is EDUCATE MYSELF.And we are happy to help in any way we can.Once again, congratulations and I wish you the best in your real estate investment career, Jason!

I am interested in the wholesale part of the real estate niche as I have bad credit and no money but I also am a law abiding citizen. 

Although I am nowhere near Maryland, I wanted to welcome you to BiggerPockets and to commend you for taking the first step in your real estate investing career...and that is reaching out to experienced investors on BP for guidance.We are happy to help in any way we can, Matthew.Once again, welcome, and I sincerely wish you the best in your real estate investing career!

This sounds easy and innocent enough but be careful because if this goes bad you can be in trouble because a judge could potentially see this held back as a lease option fee or owner financing down payment if he gets a smart lawyer .

Not only does BP have free informative forums for you to learn and comment on, it also has free online courses, guides, and success stories from other real estate investors.You have come to the right place, Joseph, and I wish you all the best in your real estate investing career!

It's bad that you didn't do anything with that knowledge.

Feel free to PM me.Once again, welcome back, John, and I wish you the best in your real estate investing career!

What to look out for in determining potential neighborhoods (I am not local to the area and is curious on how "hot" neighborhoods started out and what signs to look out for)How bad can a bad investment be?

I'm focusing on a buy and hold strategy in hopes to create cash flow and have an early retirement from my current career.

Ive heard good and bad things.