Hello @Vinay Sanapala,I recommend listening to the excellent comments from: @James Wise, @Drew Sygit, @Jay Hinrichs, and @Mark Cruse.I regularly read people claiming that Section 8 is free money and guaranteed.

I am just starting out in the real estate investing world and have been listening to podcasts.

Keep it simple starting out.That's awesome, I listened to those exact books which is what got me interested in pursuing this career further. 

That 40k class would not teach you to put nail to the drywall.In my actual job i am so very busy writing code for DATA CENTER like Amazon or Google data center, so I do NOT have time nor knowledge to put a nail in the drywall, but i have TRUSTED friend that can put the nail in the drywall.There are just so many RESOURCES here in BIGGERPOCKETS where one do not need to go to any school but can learn from them or they can redirect to the right people.As for me , my life in real estate context has DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED when I CONVERTED my business relationship into much PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP to the contractor.In flipping business, the contractor, the subcon , is like the Prophet, okay, they have to be listened and being served.

Everything I seem to have read/listened to points to "avoid pets".

So again, listening to the internet is a terrible way to invest.

As Wesley said, listen to what they say, but verify and look for yourself (eg if they say something is broken, check if it is).

And by little, I mean $50k-$60k.I was just listening to the latest episode about what to do with $50k and it’s talking about using that as a down payment, which would get you a house for, say,  $180k - $200k.

I’ve done a lot of reading and listening to podcasts about investing but still have a ton to learn.

I have been studying up on books, listening to the BP podcasts and working on building relationships and letting people know that I am into REI.