Small banks are best, meet the loan officer, underwriter is two doors down, often common sense driven and invested in the comunity.Like a car race, you need a great car and a fast driver - or a great bank and a strong loan officer.

I strongly suggest pod cast 250 on here.

If you are interested in home, PM me and I will send over more details, but at the very least, I strongly recommend looking at this neighborhood. 

Build a strong team and it is do able. 

If you’re investing anywhere make sure there’s strong job growth, population growth, and desirability to live.For me, I invest, live, and am a realtor in Columbus, OH which is a great Midwest city that meets the above points of growing job/population and is desirable to live in.

If you go through a bank or credit union, I strongly recommend you use someone local. 

Now, not wanting to loose your capital, I could argue strongly to just get the knowledge so you know what you're doing.

Hypothetically, if we were to ignore the price range, would you agree those neighborhoods have a strong (and stable) renter's market? 

Actually, I can't say that, I am still surprised that the Real Estate market here in Toledo, OH is maintaining a strong and healthy presence. 

Since Washington D.C. has stalled a further stimulus bill, layoffs and unemployment filings are continuing apace.The housing market has been strong in many areas, due to earlier stimulus efforts, low interest rates, and flight from densely-populated areas of cities.