I used to cold call, skip trace, send mailers, and don't get me wrong you will get success from it like James above, however as you gain experience you will realize you need deals faster, easier, cheaper, and with more "meat on the bones" and in order to have that you need constant deals flowing through your eco system and that's hard to do with mailers, cold calls, VA's and skip tracing etc.

Use 1031 Exchanges to Defer TaxesIf you’re selling a property, a 1031 exchange allows you to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds into another property.

Some properties actually lose money each month but gain value through appreciation.

To gain investor confidence, ensure the investment property numbers are real, use the most common contract forms in your state (versus a 2 or 3-page) internet/guru contract form) with appropriate addenda, or an attorney-drafted form and attorney-drafted assignment agreement.

Yes, any cash you take out of a 1031 exchange that isn’t reinvested into a like-kind property is considered “boot” and is subject to capital gains tax.

If so, they can sell within 2 years and not pay capital gains taxes on the sell of the home.They could take that money and buy multiple rental homes in other areas if they wanted, or use the money to downsize in to a different home while still having money left over.

Consider the "2 of the last 5 year rule" to avoid capital gains.

I think you will gain a lot there. 

I'm quite not 100% on wether or not if I purchase my first investment property where I currently live (Virginia) (*which I will be*). should I also gain my license here since I'll have a property within Virginia.

I think I would try to get past the one-year mark for capital gains then sell it.