This is networking, tapping your current list of friends, family, co-workers, other real estate investors, etc.Ideal duration depends on business plan: I, personally, am a fan of long-term fixed rate loans.  

JD, I'd agree about cat pee.....it has something in it that will make you see Jesus, even with a respirator....But that house that had 9 dogs locked inside of it had this beautiful wide-plank flooring, Ponderosa Pine...unbelievably gorgrous.....I had it sanded once and got about 50% of the smell, twice, maybe 75 %....third time got 95%.Primer/paint did little.....finally had to have the walls and ceilings skim coated with new texture...throughout the entire almost 3000 SF house.

To start, connect with local agents, wholesalers, reliable contractors, and networking groups.

Are these programs upwards of $25,000 worry it to FastTrack you on learning the business, get coaching and into a deal while providing access to a network worth it?

@Alecia LovelessWow yes network and be creative!! 

I would highly recommend joining some of the many meetups and networking events in Austin for real estate investors, very valuable exchanges of ideas in person as well

@Roy Loganeither1. your own direct marketing to property owners, or 2. through someone else (a wholesaler, another investor, your network, your uncle's neighbor who wants to sell their house and doesn't want to list it and tells your uncle)

Hey Caleb, There are a couple local REIA groups that would be good sources to come network with local investors.

Bigger Pockets is a great place for education and networking. 

Assuming the ditch is a foot wide that's almost 14 yards of dirt, which is a full size dump truck worth of material.