Some areas that I feel weak on at the moment include: how to assemble a winning team, should I set up a business or do invest independently, how to find properties to review, and the best way to manage properties from a distance. 

I assemble my teams by looking for an agent who works with investors in the market place that I feel comfortable and compatible with.

In this scenario you'll have to make the initial offers attractive, since you get only one shot.The thing about assembling different property, especially when there not for sale, is that its not a matter of getting the property under market price, since its most probable that at least one owner will have to be offered an above market price to convince him to sell.  

Purchase Order Funding for Manufacturers and Construction Industry ProfessionalsSpecializing in funding Purchase Orders and Projects in these areasIndustrial / Manufacturing GovernmentConstruction Retail and ApparelDirect Shipment Service ContractsDirectly funding project costs for:Deposits - Raw Materials - Components and Sub-Assemblies Project-specific Labor - Finished Goods - Overhead - Direct Manufacturing - Shipping - Letters of Credit - Letters of Guarantee- Capital equipment and MoreHeritage Estates Commercial, LLCCommercial Advisory Services347.721.9838 Ext 705

See if you can get that documentation and assemble all the facts, THEN talk to your attorney.

Next week is painting followed by kitchen re-assembly and other minor details. 

You'd need to decide if you want to go the turnkey route or assemble your own team (agent, contractors, PM etc).

As for me, I have a mentor, have begun assembling my team, have several deals under my belt, and knew much of the material.

Does that whole assembly just unscrew and get replaced rather then having to do a compression ring?  

You can purchase assembled or in a box not assembled.