You may also want to consider exploring the solo 401k for investing in real estate as it can be leveraged without subjecting it to UBIT. 

HOA investment programs give the investor tremendous leveraging power in purchasing distressed homes.

The great advantage of real estate compared to most other investments is leverage.

Since you can find houses that make you more than your cost of money you can use as much leverage as you are comfortable.

To sustain our momentum, we will continue to utilize and improve upon a continued mix of networking and leveraging relationships, advertising campaigns (using Google and setting up a website), and the internet.Financing: We will utilize the following financing options as they are available to us:1.

You essentially are leveraging their experience to grow and learn the business so you can someday run your own syndications.

I could purchase the property cash, but I would prefer to leverage my money with these low interest rates. 

If it is low interest money or cash, you then have to ask yourself "If I took this 75k and leveraged it to buy something else would I be better off?"

As you have said, it needs a bit of work...if you are really wanting it that bad, try to use that as leverage to get a good deal. 

Vacancies with leverage can be deadly too.