@Ben ZimmermanI'm sorry, but your last paragraph is full of generalizations, which are not necessarily true.  

I am not pre-qualified for a loan, but I met with a banker last Friday and is ready to help when I find something I like.

One last thing.

Just as @Sandra Lei M.and @Mathias Bekele have recommended, start with UBG and go through every last one of the podcast whenever you are in the car, at night or before class because this my friend is GOLD.

@Brian Campbell If you want to work the Atlanta market, I am a one man army 6 months in this business and am on my 5th deal. 2 last month and looking to do 2 every month here on out, or more God willing.

The last book will help you with financing and some pretty well laid out techniques.

Banks lending to IRAs will limit the LTV to 50%, sometimes 60% last I checked.

Just last year, I moved up here from Jax, FL.

Now occasionally be do get burned by someone new, but that has only happened 1-2 times over the last 14 years.

You only have to live in one unit for at least a year and after that you can move out and rent the last unit.