Brandon's book is great:https://www.biggerpockets.com/...And I devote an entire chapter to financing options for flips in my book:https://www.biggerpockets.com/...Here's a quick takeaway...see Chapter 2 of the book for details...

I would be able to devote 5-10 hours a week to studying the material.Thank youBen

I teach, so I have summers off, and I figured that devoting a few months to learning one of these trades would be helpful.Would I be better off finding someone who could teach me or should I just try to teach myself? 

It's an all-day event with the first half devoted to asset protection and after lunch break it's all about taxes.

Yeah, I am sure there are mastermind groups around and I suppose I will have to devote some more time and energy to pursuing them and working with them.

If anything, having lousy tenants in there gives you more bargaining power on price and terms.In any event, you should have in your offer an entire section devoted to Rental related items.

I have a handyman recommendation but am wondering if a company specifically devoted to flooring or cabinets might be able to get me a better price/job-done?

The HUD changes were specifically meant (check their wording) to address the flagrant fraud involved in the whole ESA scam, and to make the requirements harsher, in fact stating that an online letter, by itself, is not adequate to establish the right for an ESA.Reasons a Landlord can deny an ESA:1) It causes a financial burden2) It causes a potentially dangerous situation3) It causes a hardship to neighbors4) The building is 4 units or less and the landlord lives there5) The property is a SFH rented without the use of an agent6) The ESA has caused significant property damage in the past7) Insufficient or fraudulent documentation is provided8) Illegal breedsHere is a good, fair site for info devoted to landlords: https://landlordgurus.com/emot...

How much time and energy do you have to devote to this? 

@Brian M. based on the fact that you are very green and probably don't have a lot of time to devote to real estate, turn key is probably the best route for you.