As I learned being a stock and forex trader, there will ALWAYS be another good deal down the road, someone's always gonna cheat, someone's always gonna default on property taxes/ mortgage, someone is always gonna die and leave an estate. take your time now to learn the basics get an okay-ish job to save up money and then go or it.

I'm the author of the book in question and I wanted to weigh in a little here.You will get mixed reactions from out of state investors.You'll also get them from in state investors.And from stock market investors.And bitcoin.And farmers, ranchers, union workers, day traders, bankers, etc.Not everyone has the same success so not everyone has the same experience.

As far as your crowdfunding site question, my inclination is that the IRS would consider this the same as buying a stock or mutual fund as an investment and not being an active trader or real estate investor that would qualify you as being "in business".  

@Logan Brockmeyer Welcome to BP prescott is a great little town and as so many realtors in your area have told me you have a Trader Joes.

You might be able to find properties that are a little distanced to major cities in California.I read from Brandon Turner's 'The book on renal property investing' that even in expensive markets, people who earn relatively low income (for ex. 

Millions of day traders make hedge funds rich every year doing just that.  

I am a bond trader by trade, but have always been extremely interested in real estate investing. 

I've had moderate success as a poker player and as a currensy trader.

We are avid buyers and sellers not brokers but always looking to network with other note traders. 

I might head over to the market place in a little while and post the couple projects i have forsale :DDoo you play the Forex market>?