There is a small incorporated town in California that I have a rapport with many of the City Council members, including City Planner, City Manager, and Mayor.

You need to know them and make sure your lease incorporates them.  

i am a contractor , my business is incorporated .

It is alos important to note that Unrelated Debt-Finance Income UDFI applies when an IRA incorporates debt financing for investing in real estate. https://www.irs.gov/irm/part7/irm_07-027-008This same tax does not apply to solo 401k plans, however.

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/03/25/is-incorporating-worth-it/See you around the site!

Are you going to incorporate, etc, etc.Hope this helps!

Line up financing..Select an agent.Meet with an attorney who is familiar with investing to have contracts drawn up (Independent Contract Agreement etc)Meet with a CPA to select best incorporation/tax stategy for the investing path you have chosen.Become ultra familiar with Home Depot, Lowes, etc in terms of the products you intend to use...Anything else?

Both of us are engineers who have worked our entire careers in Corporate America.

And, I've been in corporate America long enough to have a brass pair!!! 

 #1 - I recently incorporated a Wholesaling Business and work with a partner who is based in Houston.