However, I might suggest putting that same effort into wholesaling until you save up enough to do your own investing.There may be others on this platform who still swear by arbitrage, so I'll leave that advice to them.

Putting your real estate holdings within an LLC might protect your personal assets in the event that you are sued for your real estate endeavors.Before putting their property into an LLC, some investors choose to wait until it has increased significantly in value or developed a sizable amount of equity.

If go the trad financing route and put 20-25% down on the 1st property, then rehab it to increase the ARV, how will you have enough cash to then buy 2nd property? 

They will look at properties for us without payments because we are repeat customers putting food on their table. 

I buy in Birmingham where okayish properties list for 50k, can be rent ready for 2-5k, and have ARVs of 80-90k.If I can put 5k in and get the appraisal to 85k that will allow me to be front end profitable on rentals after refinance. 

You can put 10% down if you have experience and the LTARV is not over 75%

The first thing they do is obsess over chasing leads.Without credibility, you will have a really hard time getting leads.Dress well, speak proper English, know your s&)t, have a website, that has a web presence, have a youtube channel where you educate your ideal audience, have an Instagram where you show your accomplishments, have a Facebook page with a ton of engagement, have a decent car, put a car magnet on it with your logo if you have to.

Would we still be able to take advantage of owner occupied financing and put both our names on the title/loan?

In summary, do you think it's a good idea for me to partner with someone for my first deal, put in some or all of the money, take a smaller return, but gain knowledge and confidence to start on my own in the future?

I've never used one, but I think the advisor will put you in the "major" stocks, just like it was recommended to do an index fund.