New to REI hoping to make it my full time

[Stevenson Foote]

Hello BP community,

I am new to the world of REI and I am eager to get started in this business. I have read a lot of blog post, listened to most of the BP podcasts, searched for videos on youTube, and have a few books arriving at my house tomorrow.

My goal is to create a full time income from several rental properties in the Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's, Anne Arundel, and Prince George counties) and a few areas in Virginia (King George, Stafford, Westmoreland, and Richmond).  

So where should I start in this business to raise initial capital for my end goal of owning rental properties? Is flipping illegal in either state? Should I start by creating an LLC? Do I need a real estate license to operate in both Maryland and Virginia?

Outside of the forums it seems that everyone is a guru and is selling some kind of program or their advice.