I highly recommend going to meetups and talking to investors in person. 

I highly recommend requiring ID, selfie, and pics of CC front and back.  

90% is pretty high.

I am a complete rookie zero experience, zero properties and highly determined to get into multi-family investing.

Lessons learned is not to buy a property with a high HOA.

Wade returns for non performing notes has tightened and is now in high teens low 20's.

When you say you want to prioritize cash flow over equity, you want to watch out for people honing in on that and selling you "good cash flow" deals which will be in D neighborhoods and will come with high capital expenditures and harder tenancies.

A checklist ensures that all necessary steps are taken to transform the property's image and appeal.

He uses poorly thought through methods, I've listened to his "methods",  Thus, he has the high amount of  Due On Sale called in a short period of time. 

Your income isn't high enough for it to make sense as a rental and the closer you get to your residence limit the greater pressure you will have to sell it before losing your exclusion in whole or part. 500k right now can make $15k per year income with zero maintenance or tenant risks.