I'm assuming there is a period of time prior to this status, that you just have to start investing...Do you have any advice for me in getting going?

Before you start making offers I would get my financing figured out by getting a Pre-approval loan letter that says how long it would take to close it and what your maximum amount is.Another thing to consider is an entity you should form.  

I thought I had read specific language regarding IRS prohibiting a flip, but your explanation clears things up for me.

Alexis Guini I am not fond of the brrrr strategy, I believe that it is a form of kicking the can down the road and as Warren Buffett says, "when the tide goes out, you'll find out who's been skinny dipping".

@Kay Ferdous Paying for gas heating would be a deal breaker for me.

Did you file the proper Notice To Owner form, and has it been more than 45 days from when you first Started work on the job?  

What would you guys recommend for me to purchase my first rental property?

I had to do that when i  started in the State a Year ago...Building a team I can trust  in the Cities I work in  had to be no I for me...Love my teams have visited most of them by now and am so happy with my choices  some are well on the way to becoming life long friends..ps even with spell check hate typing  love chatting and meeting new people

(His sales are good for me too though).

Too thin for me