Yes absolutely to start off I am looking at 2-4 unit multifamily properties.The part where you mentioned about going out into the market and not just sitting behind a computer screen, that's one of the biggest things that has kept me from making any significant moves so far.The first thing I want to learn is how an investor analyses a property (not only using numbers, but qualitatively), and I think going out and looking at real deals and talking to investors is the way forward.Thanks a lot for your response.

I’ve been a bigger pockets member for a long time but I’m just now revitalizing my profile and getting back into real estate.

We have a few projects under our belt that we also own/manage at this point...we completed an 8 unit project (all rented) and we completed a 5 unit project (all rented) and we are in-process on a 9-unit project and have a larger one in the hopper (maybe 18 small units that will be sold, currently has two units rented). 

I do not think this is a one size fits all answer and there are times where private lending is preferred over traditional financing.

1st time landlord investing in Class C or possibly Class D neighborhoods renting to section 8 tenants' out of state is extremely tough to do. 

If you were to invest $100K+ of your own money into one property, where would you go?

Hire the right contractor, and time boxing.

Aside from the responses above regarding the bank likely requiring the 20% funds to be yours, good luck finding any private lender willing to take a second position note on a 100% LTV for any %, let alone a tiny 3%.Now, banks do, at times, allow seller carried back seconds, but unlikely with no skin in the game from the borrower.

If you do find a deal and maybe it doesn’t cash flow for the first year or 2 but you can make improvements, raise rents on under market leases, manage property effectively and cover your expenses at least you will have started and can look for better cashflow over time.

A guarantor is just one more point where things can go wrong.