Looking into real estate

[Travis Junge]

Hi all. My name is Travis and I am growing a lot on the thought of real estate investments. I am currently active duty Air Force and I am getting ready to move to Las Vegas for my next duty station, I'm originally from small town Iowa and currently living in Texas. I've been in for almost 5 years and the last 4 of them I have been renting. It really kicked in how much of a waste I'm making on living in rentals when I started talking to friends who have purchased, and realized their mortgage is cheaper than my rent, and they turn a profit when they sell.... 

I have never owned property and honestly not very many people I know even hint at real estate as an investment, and many of my friends and family buy one home and live in it for years, so they don't have much experience with it. I am wanting to buy my first property so I have a place to sleep at night, and I am not afraid to do work on a home, but I don't want to get into a hole. I have no idea what I'm pre approved for, but I want to stay in the range of 150k. 

I'm honestly extremely nervous to buy for my first time, because I don't know what to look for. What sells back? What rents the best when I do move out? I want to learn but I don't know where to start. I have heard of loan calculators that will help tell you if it's profitable or not I guess. 

I know it was a long introduction, but I'm a learner, I could have a 4 hour phone call with some people on here about investments. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!