I'm grateful for having a job but I dread getting up at 5am every day and breaking my back for 10 hrs a day almost living paycheck to paycheck.

Thanks for the tip - I've used the feature before but apparently when you back space to change the name it breaks the Java Script(or whatever technique is used) behind it and doesn't look up anymore in Firefox on Mac until you delete the @ sign all together and type it over! 

And they may not give you any breaks for living there.If just starting a 4 plex would be easier and better terms.I have seen where a 5 plex was turned into a 4 nominal plex by opening a door and calling 2 units one unit for the day of appraisal and the mortgage application. 

I am a bit shy but I'm breaking out of that now (several changes in my life have allowed me to do this).

So my question is, how can I break through that barrier?

For example, I'll look at and do deals anywhere in RI, especially as I have some business partners in south county, but for my buy-and-holds I personally stick to northern RI in the vicinity of Providence/Cranston/Warwick just because it's closer to me.Also if you haven't visited a local investing group in our area such as RIREIG (rireig.com) or Black Diamond REI (blackdiamondrei.com) I'd recommend that too as it's a nice complement to Bigger Pockets, meeting people face to face, hearing about the latest news in our markets, etc.And check out the BP podcasts too, they're always entertaining and informative :)

Your break-even point is 6.25 years on the investment of 30k before you see a positive return.

The BEST way to get your foot in the door is to monitor it yourself, wait for the property to go vacant (even before it goes to foreclosure auction) and call that Broker or whomever is listed on the "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" sign on the front door or window-- this is standard requirement again for most banks, placing that sign.4-Equity firms- Here's some good news...

As long as the property is performing, the vast majority of the time, you are better off doing regular maintenance vs. waiting for something to break / fail be a problem that could escalate to a crisis (nothing like a sewer line back up!).

My thought is to purchase a few homes, putting down as much as I have to get get any type of loan for a news LLC, then pay down the small balance over time to build a credit history so I can eventually get a loan with 25% down or HLOC the paid homes to get in to additional properties?