@Julius KingHaving rental properties requires financial discipline and having healthy reserves for emergencies/repairs/etc.  

I have to discipline myself not to over rehab the basement. then move on to the upper floor.

I think it is a great challenge, not just for my health, but to practice discipline.

It's normally those who are disciplined and methodical who have the most success. 

Formulate a solid plan and execute with discipline, don't go all in on any one property, you might even start with one property and see if you like being a landlord, or flipping or whatever you plan to do.

Try to spend a good amount of time to get up to speed with REI via disciplined self-study, podcasts, books, going to REIAs etc. 

The only positive I see of doing it this way is that it is a motivation to get the course done as opposed to doing it online and not being disciplined enough to finish it.

You should lose several bids before you get a house if you are being disciplined and trying to carve out enough of a margin for yourself.

Its a great way to finance purchases if your disciplined enough to pay it off quickly. 

Start with learning REI through self-discipline and try to shadow someone who is doing what you'd like to do by providing value to them (you can be better positioned to add value when you have studied on your own).