We wouldn't be looking to start this project until the spring so I'm giving myself a lot of lead since I am a newbie. 

I'd definitely recommend that first (Chad Carson is the author).

In my experience, a suit for specific enforcement of a real estate purchase contract is not particularly complex or fact intensive that would lead to extensive time needed for discovery. 

If there's a family member or friend in a similar situation, and you can both align on the initial plan (location, home type, price, usage/occupancy, etc) you can pretty easily get a co-ownership agreement in place and even a joint mortgage.The benefit here is it might open up your ability to buy a larger place in a nicer area which could lead to a faster rate of appreciation and overall better living environment. 

You can learn to do this independently or get a rockstar REALTOR to lead the way.

However, if you're a W2 high income earner or business owner, I can't imagine it makes any sense to flip houses, mail mass post cards, wholesale, or build lead gen websites with the value of your time being better spent other places (such as learning about real estate and increasing your income through proven means), such as at your 9-5pm or growing your business, and your real estate is a long term process and you don't need "home run" deals to qualify or make it work.

You can learn to do this independently or get a rockstar REALTOR to lead the way.

This leads us to believe in dumb, dumb things.

I don’t know how 2 people got 3 homestead exemptions but that seems like something the local taxing authority could catch pretty easy.

The one I am speaking with currently has not offered up any sort of contract so I am taking the lead on preparing something.