Questions that all beginning investors are dying to have answered !! Veterans please HELP!

[Arnaldo Gonzalez]

Good day BP !! In advance id like to thank all who take time out for answering these questions, your feedback is greatly appreciated! Theres so much to learn in the field that it seems never ending ! which is OK because I'm obsessed !! I'm in love !! I honestly can say I've found my passion and I'm so eager for what my future holds in the field of real estate investing! :) :) ok, so I'm a beginner real estate investor future real estate agent ( will be a proud member of Keller Williams by the end of the month of June. ) .Along with selling real estate for the company I'm going to be doing some investing on the side as well. Ive put together a list of questions that I'm sure many beginners will be more than grateful for and will find them just as informing as me. i know that some answers might be extremely broad but, ill take whatever you got to offer. I know most answers can be found with some research but i'd like to hear different point of views.

1) What are the most successful and ideal techniques for seeking profitable foreclosures, short sales, and investment properties?

2) What are some recommended effective marketing techniques for finding potential buyers and rent tenants?

3) What are the different types of creative financing techniques used for investment properties, like what financing strategies would I use as property investor without using my money or credit?

4) Is it legal to be an active real estate agent for a broker and still do my own property investing on the side ( purchasing, renovating, and flipping ) ?

5) As a beginning real estate investor do I seek and build a relationship with an investor to fund my deals before I look for property? For example should I contact some investors beforehand and introduce myself and aware them like "look I'm going to seek properties that are profitable would you be interested in working with me and funding me if you agree we'll both make a nice profit?"

6) Are there any pre-warnings or potential risks I should be aware of that can put me in some sort of bad situation or financial crisis with a foreclosed or short sale property? ( Ex: Liens, or specific damages that are costly and can completely ruin my profit margin.)

7) And lastly any advice you recommend?
(Ex: should i begin with smaller properties like start with apartments and work my way up to single family homes)