Brandon Turner's book is a great read and gives you some good ideas on ways to get started.  

I recommend listening to the BiggerPockets podcast show #113 (http://biggerpockets.com/show113) which features guest Jay Papasan who is one of the co-authors of the book I mentioned.Good luck!

Its an inspiring story and I have known others that have worked like a dog all their life with little to show for it at retirement, mainly because they consistently put some money aside via a "financial planner" which is a euphemism for "bookie" in my humble opinion.  

That book is amazing, and my whole outlook on life, and being an employee has done a complete 180.  

I suggest you read Millionaire Real Estate Investor as your first book.  I

I've already started by watching the BP webinars, listening to podcasts, and have been reading any real estate and investing book I can get my hands on. 

im sure the book is great. yet im interested in knowing how much it has to offer the beginner investor who is not able to leverage their own credit.  

There is a book called "The ABCs of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss (Rich Dad's Advisors)"The book is about commercial RE investing but there was a section where the guy was talking about contacting owners.

PS your book is sitting on my shelf up next for me to read as soon as I finish 10x rule, looking forward to it. 

As well as that book is written, it isn't capable of carrying a rookie through a 100k gut renovation all by itself.