I feel I have a good background professionally (analyst at institutional multifamily investing firm) to be getting into this kind of thing, but there are still many differences to be realized and ironed out.  

The ironic thing is I also got a great deal this week for being quick in getting the deal.

Mastermind groups are built on the idea that we're a product of three things: the people we associate with, the books we read, & the media we listen to.If you're a member of a mastermind group you should be contributing as many positive ideas as you're receiving.The idea of mastermind groups were conceived in Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill which I ironically just wrote a blog post about on my biggerpockets blog.Good luck!

The only time I have ever even discussed paying a contractor for "bids" was when I had a GC who offered to walk through my wholesale deals and help me iron out a rehab estimate. 

I am inro working out (when I find the time) and collecting old iron weights and dumbbells (YORK, JACKSON, ETC).My goal is to be independant and wealthy.

Calling expireds and FSBO's works, PPC works, and so does circle prospecting - just don't get discouraged if you're not seeing immediate results 30 days in, sometimes it takes a bit of time to build up skills and get enough irons in the fire.Regardless of which lead gen method you use it's critical that you have a good lead incubation system.

Finding a lender trapped by an old insurance policy into paying a fixed rate and at the same time forced to lend at a lower rate due to market conditions is like finding fleas on an iron dog.

And ironically, I'm a current senior at Clemson University.

I bought a vanload of coin-op dryers from a guy who owns 600+ units in Ohio (kind of ironic he and the OP are at roughly the same number of doors - though I don't know if the guy I bought the dryers from has other properties aside from his seemingly small city of apartments) and he had never heard of Bigger Pockets.

It may be all ok but these are some things to iron out before you go.