Well worth it and the best strategy to start in my opinion. 

When looking at properties in other cities, I usually start by researching market trends like price-to-rent ratios, crime rates, and growth potential.

I will still use alt. lenders from time to time depending on the circumstances but I will also achieve similar LTC financing through traditional banks and when I go to my capital partners with a term sheet for 85% LTC through a traditional bank with a fully capitalized interest reserve, healthy contingency funds and soft costs built in and the real estate great, its far easier to raise capital because far less equity is required to fund the deal but this all starts with the quality of the real estate.

Hiring someone to do the work will likely cost too much (I would charge a small fortune, it's an incredible amount of work) and doing things as cheaply as possible will bite you in the *** later when you start having issues with your own shoddy work and/or materials.

Look at the application, start pricing third party flat fee services for each step.

Maybe any wholesalers, investors, fix&flippers, landlords willing to share any experience.I am a fast learner and willing to provide my business, trade for trade, to learn how to acquire my first property whether that would be a small 4-8 unit building or start big with a 20-unit building. 

It starts at 6!

I have been listening to the podcasts for a while but have just started exploring the website.

This is a great example of why the sponsor is an integral part: "it all starts with a good sponsor", but the deals matter too.  

Good for you starting at 19.