I'm hoping to learn from your mistakes as well as share mine.

I highly recommend a well-qualified REALTOR who works with investors and knows how to help you best.7.

Start early, raise that equity well in advance, and make sure all those forms and verifications are filled out correctly.

Mid thirties couple earning very well (more than 8X rent) with a small pet.

This may depend on your market, of course, but in general, if all of the nearby MTRs have it, you are going to want it for your units, as well.

I highly recommend a well-qualified REALTOR who works with investors and knows how to help you best.7.

Hope all goes well.

Also looking to build connections, would love to connect with you and other investing mamas as well! 

They usually sell for a really attractive price because investment property financing is (obviously) difficult, somewhat limiting the buyer pool to owner-operator small business owners (who in turn are typically great clients, as well).  

We invested into the property and came well ahead of the local market.