I am wondering if my first steps (past the education part) is to build a network of people who know, like, and trust me through posting content like newsletters, articles, podcasts, doing webinars, going to events (aka build my brand), or, should I first find a deal and then raise capital?

You'll also continue to be building your brand, your network, your experience, etc.

Hello all, my husband(42) and I(36) are brand new real estate investors.

Plus I recently got a brand new calculator, wanted to see what out of state investors though the most important aspects of deciding between to similar rates cap rates in 2 varied size apartment. 

In February I purchased a brand new 3 bed 3 bath duplex for 479k at 6.18%. 

I assume a higher upfront cost as far as land purchase and the actual build but you would have a brand new house, instant equity and hopefully maintenance free for quite a while.

A little over 15 years ago, in the late spring of 2009, I was a brand spanking new real estate agent coming off of a miserably failed real estate investment venture.

It's very on-brand for the city to have an error on their end when starting the process, though.

I'm brand new to Bigger Pockets and just recently moved to Los Angeles County.

Japanese people culturally like brand new and shiny products and you will have a small market of investors who won't touch unless you offer attractive yields.