I have a 10 Step Guide available for download in the FilePlace and Step #1 is Identify Your Purpose and Set Your Goals.

The most valuable takeaway for others though are probably the data sources that I found while putting this together :American Fact Finder - This was a great resource, you mix & match different demographic, economic and geographic data tablesCity Data - Pretty well known, contains a variety of information on different cities, used for crime statisticsHUD Fair Market RentsUnemployment StatisticsCensus Bureau Quick FactsAdditional Census Bureau ResourcesIt took me a while to figure out where I could find good, reliable data, so hopefully this list helps someone else who's unsure of where to look. 

However you will learn a lot of valuable lessons on your first one.

Happy to say we have 100% no-change on all of those, since we strictly adhere to the Audit guide put out by the IRS.

We will close a duplex in NC very soon and few questions want to hear landlord folks to share some valuable experience.1) Insurance: one insurance company agreed and then changed their opinion by asking us does this duplex has a 6-8 inch concrete wall between units.

Correction: that should be valuable not available in "my understanding is that the more valuable... 

Hey everybody! I am new to real estate and want to dive into this industry as fast as possible. I plan to invest, but I also need to move from my current location, meaning I need to start applying for jobs as soon as ...

Thanks SO much everyone -- it's really valuable to get this input, right when we need it! 

Obviously it would only be valuable if we could get enough to buy outright - probably $150k - $200k and then refi out.

@Robert Lindsley That's great advice and valuable insight!!