Look into certificate programs like SalesForce where you could be making a good income in under a year working remote with potentially flexibility in the future to make your own hours as you pivot to real estate.It sounds like you're considering it already but a house hack will probably be one of the best strategies for you to get started and take action while giving you a great return because of the low % down needed to get started.

The appraisal came in under what the cost to build would be and I'm now considering selling the lot, moving forward with the build and hold/renting it for a couple of years or building a duplex instead. 

Again, I haven't gotten a contractor out there to the house quite yet, but with these numbers, as long as the Rehab comes in under 80K (foundation repair included), then add 10K for cost of loans and any other miscellaneous expenses, we should be coming out to a perfect BRRRR at 150K in total and 200K ARV for the refinance.

@Carlos Josue Hernandez we've had local banks let us refinance more than the money invested in under 6 months

Make sure you never stop networking, because the more the relationships you manage to build as a budding investor, the better off you’ll be when you begin experiencing growth.Bear in mind that it is normal to get inundated by doubts and questions as a beginner.

I am interested in working for a title company, property management company, commercial real estate brokerage.. really anything that will enable me to inundate myself in the business and soak up knowledge.

This is exactly what these ibuyers are doing; as a result if you own properties in the states where the ibuyers operate you are inundated with emails, phone calls, pop ups and text messages urging you to consider selling your property.

This way, you will have 6-units in under 6-years with 2 owner-occupant loans.

At least in my area, getting an appraisal in under 40 days is not happening.

So, I got in under $15, because I simply couldn't find a "why".