Be sure to allow some margin for error in your first deal because you'll make some mistakes but be sure and try to get into action quickly! 

But ultimately, mistakes and problems will come no matter how much learning you've done. 

I anticipate this feedback will be helpful to the community at large, allowing us to collectively identify solutions to common problems and learn from each others' mistakes.

While you are at it, learn how to manage your properties well because a large percentage of investors lose tons of money through rookie mistakes with non-paying tenants, unscrupulous contractors, long vacancies, etc. 

This is a mistake.

Managing independently and making mistakes can cost you far more than that.

You can hear real-world examples of how others have built their investment portfolio and (hopefully) learn to avoid their mistakes.4.

@Lindsey PinkhamRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.