I do have family and friends in the Birmingham area, so asking someone to lay eyes on property isn't completely out of the question, but I do love to get as much info as I can myself.

Planning to use BiggerPockets, a recommended reading list, and meet with an older longtime investor friend and explore a mentor relationship down the road.

I would give both hard money and conventional lenders a good look.Make sure you put in the time to really research your lenders and to compare their rates and fees.But, like you, I'm very new to this so hopefully some more experienced folks can chime in and either agree with me or tweak what I said to make a little bit more sense.Either way, I wish you much luck friend!

Hey BP Friends!

I zero in on a REO right around the corner from my friend.

I'm also trying to help my friends and coworkers out too, since most of them are renters in their 20s who'd like a home but don't really know what options are out there...Which brings me to someone I know who we'll call "Jane".

So a friend of mine, who is not into REI, has sent me a couple of off-market leads through his family/friends, which is great but I'm currently low on funds to close the deals. 

On the flip side of that, Manhattan is one of the most landlord-friendly areas around, so that will always work in your favor.

I'm working on increasing my income to hopefully invest in future properties, and trying to help my friends and coworkers on the path to home ownership since many of them are renters in their 20s and don't know the options that are really out there.Here is where I'm stuck: someone I know is currently renting.

We are looking for Real Estate Investor friendly title companies, attorneys and the like.