I know real estate is not a "get rich quick" thing so I am definitely ready to put in some work! 

I'm looking to invest in a small number of rental units (10 or fewer) in order to increase my cash flow and create a portfolio of properties to boost my asset value.I have a great job, and I'm not looking to get rich with real estate, but I do plan on retiring early and I believe owning real estate can help me do this.

Just some food for thought.

It will happen again, who knows when-it is a reverse Robin Hood; where they take from the regular guy/gal and give to the super rich.

Your goal is to grow and learn more....You can learn off the internet...Maybe refocus your SELF on becoming a money making machine...There is no W2 that will teach this to you.Use a W2 to make money for your down payments on investments....Read Rich Dad Poor Dad...and SAVE SAVE SAVE.Maybe you can get a W2 with the State (dept of ????)

I want to look poor to the IRS but rich to the banks!

My interest started when I read Rich Dad Poor Dad followed by Cashflow Quadrants last October.

I have an MBA with an emphasis in finance, and personal finance is a hobby of mine, so while I'm comfortable with many of the concepts I'm learning about, my wife has fairly low financial literacy and next-to-no investment/real estate literacy.I've "assigned" her Rich Dad, Poor Dad, not necessarily because I think it's the best book ever (there were a number of concept presentations that didn't really resonate with me), but because it seemed like a very adequate beginner's primer for financial mindset shifting.What I would really appreciate is if someone could recommend a book or two, or a couple of specific podcast episodes, that I can give to my wife so that she can start learning enough to be involved in some of the decision-making process.Thank you to everyone for the helpful advice given on these forums; it's been a great resource for me, and I hope we'll get to the point where it's a great resource for my wife.

There's your answer right there...you and other STR owners need to win positions on the HOA board so you can make your voices heard.I hate generalizing all HOAs, but I think HOA board members often view things as "us" (read: full-time residents) versus "them" (read: "rich" outsiders/investors). 

A wise investor will not try to get rich quick with shortcuts.