The local area crime rate is low according to Trulia.com, but I've also heard many realtors laugh out loud at some of the information available on the popular web-sites.

Guess I just assumed most had to be done on site but those are awesome ideas I will be taking advantage of.

@Russell Brazil  I agree with Russ totally depends on what kind of real estate.. keep in mind that when you ask this on BP 90% of those on this site will gravitate to the only real estate is rental either sfr or small plexs or MF.. there are many many other types of real estate .take for instance in my mind one of the safest and most passive is investing in land in the path of progress.. pay cash and hold it.. nothing to it.. over time if you buy right or you buy a timber tract with middle age marketable timber species like Doug Fir or white pine  west  East  … these are very solid long term safe investments that you just make and sit and wait.some of the biggest money made in real estate though is land in the path of progress.. this keeps you immune from the ups and downs and risks of tenants.. 

Have you done a member search on this site for a plumber in Colorado Springs?

For those on this site with no or limited track record, 90% of them don't have $$$ to fund deals/start their business. 

Welcome to the site.

We are also preparing to be self employed (Realtor and PM), which will cause a new level of complications.  

I’ve actually been “lurking” on the site for a few months while doing some more research and cementing my goals but figured it was time to make an introduction.

You can find out by using this site: https://fris.nc.gov/fris/Index.aspx?

The site says mentorship is free after completing their course information.