The best way to connect and learn is to be in rooms where it's going down.In terms of captial your best bet is to focus on a primary income that cash flow sufficiently, saving as much as you can and doing something real estate related so you can get familiar with the industry.

Additionally, I'm hearing at meetups that this could extend to multi-fam under 4 units as well, although I haven't been able to confirm.I work exclusively with smaller investors in the multi family space and would be happy to chat more about it.

It is common for investors to bring in additional signers, often referred to as credit enhancement.

In addition, they connected me to the preferred lenders who also helped with closing on the property within a short period time.

I track the principal as a Liability account in Xero, and whenever I add it to a report, it always shows the current balance, rather than the change over the chosen time period (like with expense accounts).  

Ok it might not be 1:1 but it will add additional revenue.

12 or 24 Month Bank Statement is probably the best bet.

Additionally, I wanted to begin using properties to pull equity to go towards buying more.

Usually its a safer bet.

A PM offers so many additional services in addition to things you cannot do yourself - like simply having a 3rd party between you and the tenant.