Those are the basic steps to get your first deal.

I understand there is a lot more that goes into this process but I'm just curious if it makes sense from the most basic viewpoint for starters, thanks for your input! 

Aside from educating yourself, the next steps are to honestly assess yourself and see where you best fit into the equation and to build sponsor relationships because these will be very important for you as you start out.If you determine that you're best suited for the "finding money" part, then the content approach is a good way to get your name out there. 

I would do a few BRRR deals (SFR or small multis) and then re-assess your situation.

First American and Chicago won't do them and Fidelity and ORNT last I heard would consider it with an affidavit that the purchase price was disclosed to the buyer, which basically defeats the purpose of a double close.

Here in WA I bought basically the cheapest 3/2 there was, I’m beginning to wonder if the price of houses here makes it that much more difficult to get into another one.

If I were to go this route I would clearly identify each of these risks individually, understand how the Govt would potentially challenge each of them and then assess in your particular fact pattern how you would effectively rebut a challenge to each. 

(Only if you are SERIOUS about real estate as your wealth/career vehicle.)Make sure you join a brokerage that is large, established, and has a reputation for top performance and excellent training.Once you learn the basics and get out into the field to see the state of the market, you'll learn the price points and be able to know a good/great deal when you stumble across it.I have made some of my best (most lucrative) buys from meeting with a seller who wants to list, and when we discussed the price, I knew it fit my parameters, so I bought it! 

Basically, they guarantee your principal.  

@Christopher MorrisTo assess a market, consider population growth, job market, economic growth, rent-to-price ratio, cost of living, school districts, and growth benchmarks.