I highly recommend starting by tuning in to the BiggerPockets podcast.

My recommendation would be to tell yourself you are going to do 1 real estate investment related task a day / every two days / every three days (whatever that cadence looks like for you).

Some great resources would be here on BP, passive pockets, SEC edgar site (for example you can review Regulation A fund offerings as well as their financial statements to understand how to read audited financials).

Hi all, Thank you in advance for any tips/tricks you can send my way. 

I recommend you check your numbers: If current NOI is $37K and they're asking $500K cash, your cash-on-cash return at time of closing can't be more than 7.4%, and that's assuming an all-cash purchase, ZERO CapEx, ZERO renovations and ZERO closing costs.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Commit to spending less, paying off high interest credit cards, maintaining positive cash flow in your personal finances, and cleaning up your personal balance sheet.  

If you're time-pressed and want to get all the nuances fast, we'd strongly recommend Al, based on our experience.Best wishes to you.

When seeking financing for a vacation rental property, here are some steps and tips to consider:1.

Are there any tried and true/ industry standard sites, forums, etc. where those looking to avoid capital gains look for investment properties?