I just wrote a post about this last week or a couple of weeks ago.

I would look to areas much more afordable for your first couple of investments after your own home to minimize your risk while getting your feet wet.

Working on getting my real estate license in the state of Massachusetts in the next couple of months.

Listed to the BiggerPockets for the past couple of months and decided to check out the site.

I have a couple of buyers whose spending criteria is the in the range you mentioned.

@Andy Cross Union bank is more conservative and they like to see conventional applications, you have to show proof to everything unlike Chase bank & other big banks where you can set up your account with a couple of documents and signatures..

I've taken a couple swings at the sheriff's sales, but every property I've shortlisted has redeemed or settled prior to auction. 

He then calls me back a couple hours later and again states, "let's leave the lawyers out of this, raise the purchase price, take less comission, etc, etc."

Here are the detailsOwner purchased the property 20 years ago for 200k & then renovated it couple of years ago and spent 400k-450k.

When I attend a meeting, which will be within the next couple weeks, I will share on BP.