Investing In Real Estate

Ok so a diff path then my previous post.

I also wanted to invest in real estate but just assume( and bet is probably true) that most of the people that find truly good investments have  either or all of the following the most "average joes" don't:

1. Inside track to properties before they go to market/general public.

2. The substantial cash need for large down payment or all cash that most others don't have . I assume most very ggod deals are all cash.

I mean I highly doubt( but sure there will be other who say otherwise just because) you will find a very good investment property listed on MLS or other publically available service.

On a side note if I did have aprroximatley 400k equity in two of my homes could I use any of that to invest in another property? Is it hard to pull that type of cash out of a property? THank you very much,