I'll tell you.You have a fork in the road.

I really hope they don't take you down that road :/ 

I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips on what my first steps should be on the road to starting out.

Investing in your education through reputable sources, even if you don’t go for high-priced mentorships, can lead to better long-term success in the real estate market.Engaging with local real estate investment groups or seeking out affordable continuing education programs can be great starting points.The road to success does not have a shortcut.... 

I'm sure you've all been down the same road that I'm starting on right now ("how do I scrape my county's property tax and crime data?"

The note investor who believed that missing a note payment was a CRIMINAL offense and wanted the AG to file criminal charges4.

Credit, Criminal, and eviction seemed fine.

It’s a short dead end road so I have this notion to own the whole street and control the look and quality of the neighborhood . 

Agreed mate,I'm all about taking personal responsibility and I have been swindled many times in a similar fashion like many feel on this thread.It seems like these investors including myself in other instances get negligent and don't read between the lines.Especially after trust and a relationship have been established, we become gullible and don't second guess or question.Maybe it's greed for some but in my instance it wasn't.Just innocent and trusting stupidity (No, I'm never a victim as that is ******** mentality in my book).I had some spare $$$ and wanted to diversify in other assets through folks I considered friends and trustworthy business partners.Didn't even think twice to look things over.Looking back, it all makes sense now but it's easy being a general after the battle heheI only blame myself here...I mentioned in the thread further above that I lost to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.Again, it is what it is and it's a lesson.Only myself to blame and have always taken the high road in such instances.As much as I'd like to fight for justice and go down the legal path, it just isn't worth the time and emotion.Upwards and onwards.Become better and make more than you have lost.Each to their own and that's just my personal "modus operandi"

interested in your opinion / additional thoughts.it seems to me that we can probably kick the can down the road to the late 2030s or so... and at that point, two interesting things probably happen: 1.