Picked a specific location?

My "Why" is because I want to continue to be an active mom in my children's lives (more specifically...not to miss school events, milestones, and just spending time with them), to be able to leave something behind for them (and future generations) that they can build on/take over if they want, and to continue to fulfill my wanderlust as much as possible.       

I asked them specifically about transactional funding.

There are specific window requirements as well. 

., but to specifically answer your question it is less expensive but riskier to go to 15 year mortgages as opposed to snow balling.

Be sure your lease is state specific and add addendum's to your lease - Many posters on BP have great ideas to add - see: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/442...2.

Does anyone do deals that specifically are tailored for these investors?

The right person has to do more with character traits and innate capabilities than with specific knowledge, background or skill.

@Lewis ChristmanSometimes it's like pulling teeth to get an answer to a specific question, isn't it?

Specific topics I need help with are: should I look into majoring in business as related to real estate (perhaps getting an MBA) or is this a waste of time, when should I try to buy my first property (as in how much money should I be looking to spend), what type of property would be best (apartment building for rent, SFH, wholesale, etc), what banks would be best to get a loan from should I need one, business and real estate books/ebooks I should read, and the pitfalls/rookie mistakes beginners make.