As far as the reasons for not going with traditional debt, there are many reasons.

The good angel in me says we should wait to save the money for the rest of the redos and pay as we go, but the non-traditional/bad angel in me says just get a loan and get everything done.

At that time, the interest rates were comparable to traditional conventional investor loans (instead of 4.5% traditional, I was looking at ~5% with the Homepath renovation loan).

In Thomas Stanley most recent book, "Stop acting rich.... and start living like a real millionaire, says that the median price paid by millionaires for their most recent acquisition was only $31,367.

Rich Dad Poor DadRich Dads Cash Flow QuadrantRich Dads Increase your financial IQThe Real Book of Real EstateThe ABC’s of RE InvestingThe ABC’s of PMRich Dad RE Tax AdvantagesThe E-MythThe 4 Hour Work Weekhttp://flip2freedomacademy.com/ - free e-bookFlip2freedom episode 77 - podcast - LISTEN TO THIS TODAY!

All of those places you listed have traditionally been a bit rougher than the Richmond and Sunset district but not as bad as Bay View.

You will select the institution that holds the funds, and when capital is not invested in non-traditional assets such as real estate or notes, you will determine how to keep that capital deployed.  

I've considered putting on my own meeting, but really I wouldn't know how to start because I don't know the format of a traditional meeting + I'm brand new to real estate investing, so I'd feel a little foolish of leading any type of meeting? 

I signed up for one of those free rich dad seminars in Houston a few weeks ago.

I know that written goals is an integral component of success it's just that I don't know exactly how to go about doing.I recently finished reading Think & Grow Rich and I want to create a goal sheet that I can review regularly.