I appreciate that the plan could differ quite considerably depending on the strategy - so I just need some headline building blocks which I can flesh out to incorporate and develop my goals.Many thanks!

It could work like this, a syllabus is created incorporating all the best practices of, say, a property manager so that when the course of study is completed the newly BP-certified property manager understands and employs all the best practices (mandating automatic rent payments and providing monthly e-mail updates, for example).  

I was told ONLY invest in corporate guarantee properties, but I liked that DQ so I submitted a $500k offer, but didn't end up getting it. 

Like someone said earlier, the purchaser could have incorporated repairs into the purchase price.

At this stage from a boat slip rental perspective the cap rate is only about 5% but it could potentially be 12 lake front town home/ condo lots with two open water lots, it could be used for RV spots, or it could be a commercial bait shop/ lake front restaurant (currently there are no restrictions, property is in an un incorporated town).

While notes are different than buying the property, you do need to incorporate lessons from them in buying notes.

A close friend of mine that has been in real estate for decades took a look at my analysis in detail and after incorporating his suggestions (for example, he said the condo fee will include insurance for the common area and the building but the lender will require me to buy insurance for the rest...I hadn't factored this in) and your suggestions, my cash flow figure has swung from +200K to -227K.  

In your opinion what would be the most tax efficient way to start investing, for example would you recommend incorporating a ltd. company, if so under what jurisdiction?

My initial idea is to offer a bit more than I would be willing to pay - that would incorporate "interest" into the price. 

The solo 401k may be more advantageous if you plan to invest in real estate and incorporate debt financing (non-recourse loan).