How to get started with an expensive local market

[Zayne Ruth]

I am decently new to the idea of real estate investing. I have been studying, reading and learning as much as I can over the past year and feel confident that I would be successful if I could get the ball rolling. I live in Northern Utah where the housing market is quite expensive  even when it comes to distressed properties. I'm currently saving up for a down payment to possibly flip a house or two and then use the profits from the flips to purchase a small multifamily property to house hack. Although it is taking a longer amount of time than I would care for to reach the amount of money I would feel comfortable with having prior to me searching for and making a deal. I'm here to ask the people with more experience than I on how to begin this process in the most efficient way possible. I have never purchased a house and only have the knowledge I have attained over the past year with BP books, Robert Kiyosaki books, BP webinars and personal mentors who are investors themselves although they invest out of state. 

I appreciate all replies and look forward to hearing from those who may respond to this post.