That's a VERY smart first step

Yes it's smart.  

Having a law degree doesn't make someone smart nor does it make them automatically competent or the the last word on anything.

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.Since you are focused on rentals, below are some links for your review.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/05/26/real-estate-financing/ (RE financing)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/03/27/financing-options-rental-property-guide/ (financing options for rentals)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/03/06/bp-podcast-060-serge-shukhat/ (0-68 rentals in 4 years) https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/08/02/passive-real-estate-investing/ (slowly building wealth through passive investing)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/09/30/bought-rehabbed-rented-refinanced-14-properties/ (BRRRR explained)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/01/04/how-to-rent-your-house/ (house rental guide)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/glossary/https://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Before I commit to this niche, I thought it would be smart to take a step back and see the goal that i want to accomplish. 

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.While you wait for local networking connections, below are some links for your review since your interest lies in wholesaling.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/10/15/bp-podcast-144-getting-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-kicking-butt-at-real-estate-with-danny-johnson/ (wholesaling tips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/10/09/getting-started-real-estate-wholesaler/ (BP Podcast 091 Wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/10/31/wholesaling-podcast-mike-nelson/ (BP Podcast 042 - wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/08/29/flipping-wholesaling-plan-sam-craven/ (BP Podcast 033 - wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/08/15/wholesaling-business-lamar-cannon/ (BP Podcast 031 - wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/04/wholesaling-podcast/ (Wholesaling & marketing)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/3/17/calculating-fixed-costs-flip-rehab-wholesale-real-estate-deal/ (wholesale calculations II)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/03/10/determining-maximum-purchase-price-mpp/ (wholesale calculations I)  http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/glossary/https://www.biggerpockets.com/webinarhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

If the seller is smart they will also ask for a VOD along with the POF.

If not, do a search on BP for their tenant screening and free rent collection website.While I do not believe they have an app (yet), you can access their website on your mobile device.

She seems pretty smart to me so I am positive she knows exactly what she is doing.

I am trying to educate myself as best as I can to make a smart decision on an investment property and find investors or hard money lenders to help me achieve my goals.