Our plan is to start with flipping to save enough for down payment(s) to purchase multifamily units and grow from there.I am wondering if there are any flippers or real estate investors in the Salt Lake County or Utah County who we could shadow and learn from (how one finds good deals, analyzing, doing the repairs, estimating repair costs etc.) and in turn, we would love to work on anything needed most nights and/or weekends.  

Any real estate professional (attorney, realtor, etc) worth their salt will be able to spot that, but a rookie won't. 

Of course, it has to be taken with a grain of salt when watching and realize  that it's "Hollywood" and things are fabricated, but it get people THINKING and that's the important part.It sounds like you were involved with a very important aspect of our military.  

After speaking with our mortgage guy a few months ago he did a prelim pre-approval and said everything was good to go.Found a duplex about 30 miles away from Salt Lake City in an area we plan to invest (Ogden, UT) in more down the road.

Brendon,Take my advice with a grain of salt because I haven't done it yet. 

I know in the Salt Lake valley you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a duplex for 150k right now. 

However, take their answer with a grain of salt and compare it to the other companies you interview.How do you feel about me providing my own preferred maintenance company?

Couple things: I have no experience with the Jax REIA and I actually haven't been to a Jax REIM meetup in many many months so take what I say with a grain of salt...but I found the REIM folks to be a great, diverse group with a wealth of knowledge and it is free.

The book is okay to read if you take it with a grain of salt and see it as a book that can open one's mind to possibilities.

I'm a newbe so take this with a grain of salt.