If you are leery of taking the plunge without a safety net, per se, then partnering can be a nice way to get your feet wet. 

I can't wait to get my feet wet!  

I have a nice chunk of capital and would like to get my feet wet with my first real estate deal.

I'm trying to get my feet wet with investing but am not sure who to talk to.

I may be a bit of a wet towel on a very exciting project, but I would be very cautious to make sure you will not go into a deal that will become your last.

Hey everyone -First post here as I'm just getting my feet wet, but I'm looking to buy my first rental property within the next 6-9 months and was curious what you would recommend for a first time investor.  

So I'm creating this post to get my feet wet and try and see how other investors in the SF Bay Area approach their valuations on properties in the area.

Wet and Dry or Spring and Summer.

I've been calling for rent advertisements to try to get my feet wet in asking whether or not they would like to purchase more or sell any units but I like your idea better.

That being said, if you're williing to persevere and the insulation has never gotten wet (roof leaks), it will still perform fine.