The higher down along with your father's backing shows better collateral if you will.I think you'll find that the more you talk about your goal on this site and others in person that opportunities will present themselves.   

She replied saying, "I know how to access the county's site."

My strategy is to use FHA financing to allow me to put down 3.5% to basically get me in the game, live in one unit for 12 months, and get out of there to rent out the fourth unit.

But has anyone used that site to follow up on the foreclosure and/or pre-foreclosure listings?

There are many articles on this site related to investing this way. 

I'm not in your area, but you've certainly come to the right site to make connections! 

It's a different ball game if 25-30k is playing money.

@David M. have you searched on this site for inspectors in your area?

There are a lot of great resources throughout this site on value-add multi-family apartments.

I don't know of any way to verify he isn't playing games if he is smart about it.