It is so interesting reading your post and all of these comments, with people not seeing the value of someone lending EMD money, and they didn't realize how common this is for wholesalers to need to borrow some EMD money.

Some say holding properties within an LLC is necessary, others say it's not.Don't want to get too held up on stuff like this and have it prevent me from taking action, but also want to be sure I'm setting a solid foundation. for a mom and pop landlord there is no reason to need and LLC  just have good insurance ..

I’m going to need an independent home inspector that I can use during my due diligence phase.

Just wanting to see who can flex those RE muscles the most. :-)

You might be better served posting this on the specific NY forum because you're going to need some specific advice here. 

My husband and I started by buying one sfr, then just so happened to need to move around the one year mark, rented out the previous house and just so happened to have done this a few times....with each property the down payment was low, properties appreciated and cash flow was good.

The tenants didn't see me fall.Ended up with 2 skinned knees, bruised palm and some pulled muscles in my shoulder. 

If they try to provide housing for everyone for free we're all going to need to learn Mandarin.

@Rodney MaspochReach out to Ned Carey about tax lien and deed investing

You'll learn more from doing one deal that is yours than you will reading about what others have done/might do.You'll build a whole new muscle group based on mistakes, missteps, failures and eventually, successes.