@Shrikant Kakani- thanks ...if you  dont need to use financing - disreagrd the following tip ..if you will need to use a loan to acquire your 1st investment property - I would recommend getting the formal loan pre approval step completed ..this is free  and it will help answer many questions you have  and  help get you organized and  prepared .

Any tips/suggestions ?

Also, any tips on how to respond without sounding snarky?

I don't know much about gas stations though so if anyone has any tips or stuff to look out for I would appreciate it as I look more into it.

What tips or advice would you recommend to ID these agents and how would you go about trying to build a relationship?

In what is expected to be a continued tight housing and real estate investment market, there are a few tips and tricks that can help investors get some advantages given the current state of mortgage terms and limited housing options. 

There is a lot of loopholes, tips and tricks to take advantage of so just keep having conversations with seasoned investors, Realtors, Bankers, GC's.

Any tips on rehabbing a house to rent out on a budget?

@David Song @Jonathan Styer good tips, appreciate the input. 

But if you've hit a point where you're kinda tipping the scales, that's when it's worth considering a shift and step into that passive investor zone.My perspective shifted when I started mingling with other accredited investors.