f) Please elaborate on closing the deal and its related costs so newbies like me have clear vision of whats coming ahead and costs that we might run into.g) How to negotiate prices and how to save money along the way ?

That and our goals/visions/personalities aligned.But aside from raising capital or bringing your own capital, one of the easiest (as well as one of the most impactful) ways someone can get started is by creating a brand, sharing what you know, and telling everyone what you are doing.

Long term vision is to consolidate properties into a large multi family.Any and all advice is appreciated! 

I think I would genuinely enjoy hiring contractors to fix up a home in a vision I see fit; and of course I would enjoy the profit off the sale of those flips.I have a decent job working as a government contractor in the IT field, but I have a dream to be able to leave that work and go all in with real estate someday. 

Part of this is having a vision for the future so you can begin with the end in mind. 

Pre-selling is a great idea, it is more difficult since it requires vision and paticiene on the part of the investor.  

You’re getting me to open my field of vision and reach for something out of my comfort zone, something bigger.

Hopefully your vision and goals will keep you moving forward to your end goal sooner rather than later. 

As a rookie I have a skewed vision of everything.

I had visions of really profiting on appreciation - having some cash flow.