Maybe try to network at a local REIA or something where you can some rockstar lenders.Good luck!

My wife has her lender who is rock solid .. 

@jonathan R McLaughlin Yes walls, sheet rock and wiring.

I second what @Bud Gaffney said. a Rockstar Realtor can/will be a central hub for all your connections. research local agents and meet with one or two.Edit: what specifically are you looking to do as an investor?

@Jaycob Walker 1) Decide on your strategy 2) Decide on your market 3) Get your financing lined up, ie pre-qualify 4) Find a Rockstar RE agent & property manager.

The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area saw a change in median home price from $455,000 to $470,000, for a month to month increase of $15,000 and a 29% increase from the previous year.The following infographics and data is courtesy of the Austin Board of Realtors:Housing inventory decreased from 1 month to 0.8 months for the entire MSA.

I highly recommend getting good at analyzing markets and taking a look at the secondary markets around Charlotte (Gastonia, Concord, Albemarle, Rock Hill, etc.).

The main thing is just to get started and get into one, especially with interest rates so rock bottom low.One note I will say - if your primary goal is live rent-free with one property in Paterson, you may want to consider a conventional mortgage with higher down payment, just to decrease principal so that your monthly payment is lower and easier for tenant rents to cover it.

Take out the ceiling sheet rock to the corners or within 2 inches, remove the insulation and sheet rock. 

Have you verified their license and tried to research them to ensure they don't have 50 1-star reviews, ethics complaints, etc?