I'd like to sit down and talk to other investors in the central Iowa area.

I have been sponging on pod casts, webinars as able and reading previous forum posts in to try avoid asking the same ol newbie questions. :) Ive read a few beginner rei type books, and am aiming to narrow my focus from the general reading to more targeted focus of individual methods for getting in the game.  

Hurts cash flow but avoids the lump sum problem, especially if you have a good W2 job where you can cover the higher payments if and when you run into higher vacancy, repairs etc.

It really is a national business and you probably want someone with enough band width and experience to anticipate issues and avoid them rather an have an "oops" moment down the road.

The only tax deduction that doesn't represent an actual cash outlay is depreciation, which you're going to have to pay back in capital gains when you do sell the property, as opposed to now where you can avoid capital gains entirely.Not to mention we are in a hot market with signs of a correction on the horizon.No brainer.

Or find a way to avoid the word commission.

If you structure your VA loan strategically you can avoid the bulk of these VAFF's (VA funding fee's).- no title seasoning on cash out refinances unlike FHA which has 12 months of title seasoning after purchase before you can use market value value or conventional which requires 6 months after acquisition (this applies to CO refinances where you used financing initially to purchase not DFE or delayed financing exception which is an all cash purchase and there is no lien/deed recorded on the property at the time of close), This becomes very handy for  creative RE entrepreneur once you learn how to force equity through adding value to properties you can use VA's no title seasoning advantage to increase the speed at which you move from deal to deal quicker than Conv/FHA- no self sufficiency rule when owner occupying 3-4 unit properties which FHA has (a rule that makes buying 3-4 unit FHA properties in high cost areas nearly impossible) so this a huge plus- use of rental income or other peoples income (OPI) to help you qualify on your 2-4 unit VA purchase (FHA and Conv does allow this too)There's a lot more you can do to optimize your mortgage planning from an investors perspective.With the introduction of the 2018 Tax Cuts, you can structure your taxes strategically to not only greatly reduce the tax impact but also remain bankable to most money sources.

Ready to start

Hello @Joseph Ranola, have you considered the Harrisburg/Central PA area? 

Avoid investing in any income property that does not have all utilities separated and in your tenants name.