Make sure to listen to all the BP podcasts, read the articles on the main blog and be active in these forums to learn a ton very quickly about any topic in real estate you want to know more about.This is also a great place to meet people that can be assets to your business.

Here are a few recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts Read Beginner’s Guide http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing and check out BP Podcast.

To change topics.

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

http://beta.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/132...

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

Here are several inexpensive ways to get into owner occupied 2-4 unit properties:0% Down:NACA (https://www.naca.com)VA Loan (http://benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/index.asp)Rural Development Loans (Renovations MAY be included)(http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HSF-About_Guaranteed_Loans.html)3.5% DownFHA (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD/topics/buying_a_home)3.5% AND RenovationsFHA 203k loan (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD/program_offices/housing/sfh/203k)5% DownHomepath Owner OccupiedAs @Corey Jahn mentioned, the PMI is nasty on the FHA loans.  

A bit off-topic, but if you're looking for a justification to purchase Prime for your building materials, here is one...We originally got Prime to decrease the costs of shipping finish materials to our projects.  

Dear BP Family, I know this isn't the most flashy of topics, but here is the situation I am in: My company recently purchased a 7-unit property in Portland, OR (Keyword alert: 'Portland' is being discussed on biggerpockets  :)  ), and due to the fact that the building is older, the water utility is master-metered. 

I obviously still have tons to learn and will not be purchasing anything for at least a couple of months as I continue to do my research and due diligence, but I wanted to put this out there to see what advice experienced investors have on the topic.