newbie to Real estate investing

[Lovely T.]

aloha everyone! so here i am, totally new at this and pretty nervous about this whole REI thing. I'm looking at the big picture at what this could mean if i become successful in this business ( more time for my family, keeping promises about vacations to my kids, not needing to work 7/24/365, etc)... any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. So starting off, should i create a team first? or schedule with a lawyer first?

[Rick Stein]

Welcome! There is NO need to spend $20-$30K for their course. You need education which costs very little. You are already on Bigger Pockets. Join your local REIAs (Real Estate Investment Association). The cost is nominal. Read books. Find a local successful, experienced investor and take him/her to lunch. Hang around successful investors. Learn your craft!! Eventually, you will need to take the plunge. You can't be a professional student (always taking courses, never investing). You can start small with a small single family or two family. Keep making offers until someone says "Yes". Education is power!

Good luck