Most rental properties pencil out to very close to debt neutral as far a loan is concerned.

My biggest concern about landlording is finding tenants and keeping it rented.

Ultimately, our goal is to utilize the BRRRR  method but that would be years down the road when we can bring more cash to the table. 

What training course do you suggest to learn this method?

I've known multiple people in this area that do BRRRR method but they've always had an in (real estate attorney, contractor, realtor, etc.) in order to hear about the good deals. 

I've seen others' horror stories regarding this time frame and it gives me cause for concern.

I have a VRBO “concierge” who I can email directly anytime I have a question or concern.

@Charlie Hampton, I was concerned about investing in the area as the taxes are so high. is investing in our area a good idea?

There are many sources on bigger pockets where you can find free information and also members posting results they have had using different methods.

The rule is that your purchase price should be allocated between land and building in the same ratio as the value of each component bears to the value of the property as a whole.So let's say the property is worth $100,000 with $60,000 of the value attributable to land and $40,000 attributable to building (you can use any reasonable method to determine this; one easy way used by many is the assessor's split, though there are other methods that could yield a better answer for you).You buy the property  at a huge discount for $10,000