Newbie investor in Kansas City - advice on starting out

[Dan Krupa]

First off, thanks for everyone who shares their wealth of knowledge and time here. Fantastic advice, community, and website.

Currently I am active duty military and leaving the Army after 12 years of service this summer to focus on REI full time. We own one property in KC, MO that is cash flowing and two properties in Tacoma, WA.

We have saved enough to buy a couple of properties with cash only, have a large sum of equity in one of our properties we could use as a HELOC, and good credit.

Initial business plan is to focus on the Northern KC area: SFH, 3/2s, and around 1100 sqft. I know the picking is slim there. We BRRRed two of first three properties however, I would like to flip to generate income and then buy and hold.

Any advice on how to start out? Pitfalls or gaps in our current plan? Also, I would be more than willing to work for free or split a profit on a property I find if anyone is willing to provide me tutelage.   

Finally, I plan on getting my real estate license. Thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance for any advice.