Newbie Questions from florida

[Justice Adderley]

Hello, Im currently very interested in getting started with REI. I've had an interest in financial literacy for a couple months now and have been doing some basic research on the path I want to take. I think REI is the best path for me to take to increase my capital with passive income and short term goals, Long term investing is not something I want to start out with. I'm going to break down this post is some segments because I feel like I have a lot of questions!

1. My name is Justice and I live in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Im currently about to turn 19 this month, full time student, with about $272 in monthly expenses just from small bills (I recently just made personal budget spreadsheet). I currently am unemployed but looking to change that in the coming days. I have roughly a little more than $3000 in savings, and looking to snowball some secure loans / cards to boost my credit. I would be getting an additional $3000 if I stay for another semester of college in spring, not including any additional income i may get from saving with a part time job. Would it be unrealistic with the goal to attain a 2-4 door duplex as my first REI early 2018?

2. I have a cousin that lives in Virginia that is as passionate as me in achieving similar goals with REI, we regularly keep in touch to help motivate and make sure we aren't losing sight of goals. We would be able to put our capital together and invest as partners, although we are still trying to gain as much knowledge as humanly possible before our first REI. Any tips or strategies for investing with partners because I haven't really seen much on that topic?

3. I am highly motivated to accomplish my goals but feel very uneducated and lost when it comes to understanding on how I would go about making my first Investment. Any stories on how you got and how long it took to make your first investment? I know time is very valuable and don't want to waste my time focusing on the wrong things now and being in a tough spot later on in my life. book recommendations, local in person meet ups in the Florida area is great anywhere from Orlando down to Miami I am willing to travel to gain more knowledge. Or even over there phone conference calls would be great. I would like to stay away from the guru pyramid schemes, but I am very open to all ideas anything that would help.

4. Any tips on picking up momentum when it comes to staying active and searching for deals to figure out your first investment?

5. Lastly I appreciate any help or feedback I receive, if you know any in person meet ups to further my experience and knowledge it would be greatly appreciated. I definitely want to learn how to increase my passive income from nothing to something!