I'm giving myself a year to learn all I can and save up a down payment for my first long-term rental in my local area.

Just starting out here.

To start, I would try to pinpoint what area of RE investing you'd like to focus on.

This is an excellent place to get started in CHS if you aren't already attending. 

And it’s simple to self manage if you want to save a buck.

Once the foreclosure process has started, you can only get the train back on the tracks if you can pay off their loan and liens, which someone probably would have done earlier on a short sale if the upset value wasn't too high.

A lot of variables with this, but a JV agreement and/or operating agreement to start.

Unless you find a properly zoned property, it is no go.Just start looking in places that STRs are allowed rather than try and swim upstream.

You can save money by buying smart, but don't buy cheap/lower quality because you get what you pay for and it may cost you down the road.

Personally, If theres a good tenant that has been there 10+ years paying on time, I would be ecstatic.Think of all the headaches you are going to save!