Please note that every state requires you to hang you license under a more experienced broker (who will oversee your activities and make sure you stay within the law) for 2-3 years before you can strike out on your own.Make sure you choose an agency that allows Property Management.

You need to strike before anyone else is conscious of what's happening around them.

I too am looking for advice on how to approach this financially as well as how to strike up a deal based on the condition of the house.

That's a big word, with big implications, strike all of that.L - NP, commission demands on the seller. 

GCs are the one area that I would never put my name behind as I've seen that there are egos in relationships that can strike a nice gasoline-soaked match with even the best intentioned investors/contractors.

Being genuine and authentic is what I think strikes you apart from allllll the other people trying to do the same.Good luck!

Networking with as many people in the real estate realm as possible (this will be the most difficult for me as I am generally not the type to strike up conversation with strangers- a trait I get from my Father who has always been a “man of few words”).

Hello, I am just striking the surface of real estate investing and want to start looking at my local market.

however they created all of their rental properties.I am looking to strike out on my own and invest in properties in the vicinity of these 2 areas.  

This will cause doors that were previously operating correctly to suddenly stick shut or the doorknob strikes to not latch any longer with big gaps at the top corner of the door.