It's the kind of neighborhood we all dream about:  high 'walk score', safe feel, coffee shops, theaters, low crime, high rents, and LOTS of renovations happening on older homes all summer long. 

(Side Note: if you really want to jump your credit score in a few months (because it takes time for the reporting to update), and if your disciplined with your spending try this;1st) I went and did the math to see what my positive cash flow each month off my active income (let’s say you’ve got $500 left over after you go through your monthly spending avg. which is all you kick out vs what you bring in)2nd) Go get a credit card with 0% interest for 12mths with NO higher than 5% transfer fee.( their are some with low as a 0% transfer and I had got that one on my 2nd round cause my credit wouldn’t let me at first)3rd) do a transfer balance after 24- 48hrs of opening the card (Nope you don’t need wait to actually get the card just call in and tell them over the phone to send a Blanche transfer check to your bank account in the amount of your car Balance; because you’ve only got a 30day window of transfer with 0% interest for the 12mths)4th) PAY YOUR CAR OFF IN FULL, and take your old car note (let’s says it $450mth) plus your $500 positive cash each month and add all $950 each month to pay against the balance on the card5th) in 45days start checking your CreditKarma app (its free) and don’t worry about the 5% if it’s larger than your car loan % because once you’ve paid your car off your score will go up and in a couple months of $950 your car will be paid OFF not in 2more years or so...Thus saving you probably more than $2,000 in interest on the car loan (so you get to keep $$) and time in payments.Your saving money on interest (keeping it in your pocket thus making your pocket bigger!

I also have the advantage of a very flexible schedule (as long as I turn my articles in on time, my clients don't care where or when I do them) and overall low expenses (since I work at home and don't have to commute).

Thanks to the forums we have successfully rented out our first property and are ready to move on to the second. my question is about low down payment mortgages. my wife and I are about to purchase a home here in Wilmington NC.

Having said that a low of $2,000 to a high of around $20,000. 

I'm not sure what I should do at this point.I was hoping to get some advice or ideas on how to get started with such a low amount, anyone who did get started with little money or any advice or ideas available. 

Your low end rent will be $700 up to $1,200.

@Nancy Zhao Yes sorry about the confusion, it's way too low, that is just what it was mentioned on the podcast.Thank you for your help @Teri S. and @Gregg Watkins

I would definitely verify the upfront cash needed.It all depends on personal preference and condition of the home but for me the maintenance and capex % is a touch low.

The bar to get a contractor’s license is also quite low with an open book test and 15 hours or so of education.