Buy a few books, start simple, do your own property managing.

I literally travel all over the world for work.

I mean, is it as simple as finding a few recent sales within a few miles on zillow or is it as complicated as finding a commercial RE agent who I'd have to pay to give me a CMA?

It seems like a simple thing, but reaching out in BiggerPockets about getting started as a real estate investor is a great first step.

We recently relocated to Phoenix last summer and I'm starting to look for recommendations for local credit unions here in Phoenix which are trustworthy, low rates, personal touch, easy/simple to work with, etc. 

I get calls literally weekly begging me to take the $ on various lenders of these. 

Based on your budget, it's pretty simple.

I literally sent one message and recieved one response.Please advise 

Then it's simple, build the home, find crews to do the work (you should already have them basically from the prior step), excavation, concrete, sealing, framing, roof/gutters/siding, windows, insulation drywall, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, finishes, etc. basically in that order.

Its pretty simple, we obey the law.