Learn, connect with others who are more experienced, develop a plan, and be consistent in taking action steps every day to achieve that plan.Being disciplined to be consistent is key.

@Jesse Choe - congrats on the house, and more importantly, on the discipline.

When I am disciplined enough to keep cash on hand for maintenance and capex, it seems very little goes wrong. 

I'd also recommend The 4 Disciplines of Execution, The Power of Habit, and How to Win Friends and Influence People. 

It won't happen if you are not disciplined and consistently looking at deals, MLS, marketing, managing a rehab, etc.  

This asset class requires one to be disciplined and a need to stick to your principles.

@Dillon HutsellIt's by far and away the biggest life change you will encounter, but it will teach you a discipline that you take from your military life and incorporate into how you invest.

Importance of Cashflow Management & DELAYED GRATIFICATION - through disciplined cashflow management, we utilized the cashflow from the property in improving the apartment units in order to justify the $200/mo per unit rent increase.

My formula requires we use tremendous discipline and research, looking at some 100+ deals for each one we close. 8) Unable to Move to Other Markets - I have bought in eight different markets.

Remember, investing at the end of the day requires discipline to start and stay winning!