Get a DBA and use to open a business bank account.Have your properties "hire" the DBA to manage your rentals and collect rents.Most states require a lease to identify the owner of a leased property, whether a person, trust, LLC, IRA, etc.Landlord = Lord of the Land = Owner per deedAgent = someone legally representing the ownerProperty Manager = Agent

You may also consider a bridge loan until you have a signed lease, security deposit, and first months rent to use 75% of the lease amount if you have a property identified and need to move quickly. 

I also hope to build my network of lenders, contractors, etc.My highest priority currently is learning and practicing to identify and analyze properties.

I have identified properties in a particular area I want to target and want to reach out to the property owner to see if they would sell.

If I were to go this route I would clearly identify each of these risks individually, understand how the Govt would potentially challenge each of them and then assess in your particular fact pattern how you would effectively rebut a challenge to each. 

Motivated sellers aren't identified by an algorithm.

Quote from @Brian Bowen: I have identified a couple properties I would like to inquire about.  

I know apps like AirDNA are popular for assessing short-term rental data, but I’d love to hear what other tools or platforms you all use to evaluate markets and find promising investment properties.Questions for You:•What apps or resources do you recommend for analyzing real estate markets and identifying strong investment opportunities?

If these 2 estimates are REALLY far apart, you can also identify items you have a low certainty about and do more research to raise that certainty and narrow those estimates.

It involves analyzing the real estate cycle and identifying the right moment to buy and sell properties.