In terms of deal flow I would reach out to a couple of wholesalers, agents and join some local investor groups either on Facebook or online local community to start.

Purchase price: $400,000 Cash invested: $20,000 Sale price: $620,000 Bought near a private university with the plan to live in it before renting it out.

Your realtor can give you all the actual sales comps to help you see the difference between the listing price and the actual sales price.I however do have a little contrarian advice. 

The answers to most of your questions can be found just by searching in BP or online. 

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $300,000 Sale price: $1,300,000 Luxury build in the city of Bellaire, ongoing project.

Purchase price: $1,150,000 Cash invested: $200,000 Sale price: $1,599,000This beautifully renovated single-story home features 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 modern bathrooms, situated on a 9,000+ sqft lot in a tranquil cul-de-sac.

However, there is a requirement that in order to defer all tax he must purchase at least as much as his net sale. 

Original investors are taken out plus profit in the sale.  

If you were going to focus your time on learning something, I'd say getting familiar with a bookkeeping platform (like Quickbooks Online) would be the best bang for your buck.

Looking to possibly start investing with some whole sale properties and land.