There can be hundreds of things to consider, but the over all best approach in my opinion is to find a great (credible) turn key provider and see whatś the best they can offer (which still wont be near what you want). 

Great market selections, I've helped hundreds of investors invest passively in DFW, HOU and SAN. 

They pay hundreds per month for this data (myself included) and they don't typically give out that information for free to a non-client (myself included).

As you scale, if bookkeeping isn't fun for you,consider hiring a bookkeeper for a couple hundred bucks per month.

And also: people are willing to pay a couple hundred bucks extra, too. 

It will be only couple hundreds.

CCIM and SIOR are good options, but they require a level of portfolio requirements to receive the designations that you won't have until you get immersed in the business yourself.Ultimately, what you need more than knowledge to succeed in this this business, is the willingness to have hundreds of conversations weekly with people you don't already know, and to do that every week for the rest of your career.

Have bought hundreds of property at auctions, including the first property I bought (detailed in Bigger Pockets Podcast #82) and the very first thing is you have to know value. 

I know because I have done hundreds of appraisals as a fee appraiser prior to going into lending.

Expecting atleast few hundreds per month in cashflow and good appreciation.