I feel like I am wrapping my head around the concepts of investing, however I still have no experience or real direction on the practice of being a broker.  

What type of law do you practice?  

I live in a very hot market in Fort Collins, Colorado - any deal to be had will MOST LIKELY NOT be found on the MLS. One of my 4-plexes was an off market deal that came about because me and the previous owner found a ...

We fortunately/unfortunately live in a high priced market.Frankly, this is the prime reason why I elected to move my REI business out of state.It's not practical for everyone, but, an option that you may want to consider in parallel with upstate investing.However, don't be disheartened you have to play with the deck of cards served and find a way to win!

Sure thing.I'm actually a full time attorney that focuses his practice heavily on real estate.

Many, many in this arena are nothing more than advance fee scam artists and/or identity theft phishing enterprises.Respectfully,Charlie, it comes security and exchange and finance laws of "private" money dealings, exemptions from trade practices between parties that have had prior business dealings, that are known to each other, where they may be related by blood or marriage, where the source of funds is from their own assets and where such lender is not in the business of lending. 

What are the best practices on amounts of leverage and reserve cash?

You can search by practice areas (real estate, bankruptcy, etc.)

I'm here really to learn more about that, and also long term rentals and best landlording practices - two things I've not had experience in.

It's just that the laws cover some things that seem like an innocent practice that are covered by specific laws.