However, I am struggling to figure out the best approach for financing, if I do not have all the capital traditionally required for a down payment.If I decide to go with a lender, am I really going to have to come to the table with at least 20-25% down?

Phil and I have no experience in Real Estate other then purchasing/selling/building our primary residence.

I moved into a $400 a month studio (In a very bad neighborhood) all so I could save as much money as I could, pay off all my debt and save for a down payment on not just a primary residence but investment properties too.I would absolutely continue to learn from BP, but I would also seek out personal finance blogs and podcasts to learn how to better save, scrimp and earn your way to having more money to invest in real estate.

I've heard that absentee owners are the way to go, so do you still suggest door knocking as my primary initial source?

Hello fellow investors, I am just starting investing and I am on the process of acquiring my first rental property.But my real issue right now is that I just sold my primary property (a condo) here in Missouri. 

I started out with buying a couple 2 Bedroom 1 Bath rent houses for 45 & 55 Grand. 20% down on each using my primary residence equity as collateral.

The payments tend to be lower than the PMI option and interest is tax deductible on your primary residence.

The guest was probably talking about traditional - bank - financing.

Account Closed  Hi, flippers usually sell to traditional buyers (not investors) after they have done their work.  

A great place to start as a real estate investor is your first primary residence.