I am excited to learn more about this business and hopefully will develop the confidence to get off the sidelines and into the game.

It's asking lots of questions about how that process works.I would suggest that this is a sideline business (don't neglect the regular listing/selling business) at least until you get it up and running.Good luck!

The longer I'm on the sideline, the longer it will take for me to remain at my job and not be able to retire earlier.

I started my real estate portfolio over 15 yrs ago, and could have sat on the sidelines and lived at home for free, but that's not how you build wealth and leverage assets.

You will need money for the down, probably pay a little more in interest, but in the long term (30 years), you will make out better vs staying on the 'sidelines'. 

This is why we've been on the sideline for so long.

If you have other intentions(betting on inflation, tax purposes) that may be another story.While upside is high in the area I'm interested in and there is plenty of reason to expect appreciation, assuming appreciation is what got a lot of people into trouble while I was on the sidelines renting.I'd like to think I'm smart enough not to make the same mistake now that my chance is finally coming.

…but you’ll never know if you remain on the sideline. 

I think this winter can be an excellent time to capitalize on the market as an investor before people get off the sidelines if interest rates fall.

although I haven't reached out to anyone personally I still want to be involved from the sidelines and just have discussions and learn the processes so I can jump right in.