If people complain about something I dont go right away.

This is probably the thing that burns out people who self-manage more than anything.2.

Have as many people you can trust give you some advise about your purchase.  

There's no step by step guide but there are key things : Learn: RE strategies, what interests you, what do people in your area need.Connect: find a mentor, accountability group and be around those doing what you want to do.Help: solve problems- do people need dealflow, property mgmt, construction expertise, etc. 

McElhannon: I'm curious on peoples go to approach to secure financing for an investment property - use a broker? 

Look at how people invested 20, 40, or 60 years ago.

I'm entirely new to real estate investing, but I have a high risk appetite because I have seen other people achieve amazing things that many say cannot be done.

People come here, buy, move away and try to keep the house as a rental.

I know some people use TransUnion SmartMove.

So many people did DIY.