I think it is beneficial to visit the area you are going to invest in, meet the team you will be working with, and explore the neighborhoods by driving around.

The choice between maintaining liquidity versus reducing debt will largely depend on your priorities and future investment plans.As for subdividing or CPRing the property, there are several advantages.

. ;) I don't know best I just know what has been mutually beneficial for all sides and no complaints have ever been made doing it this way.

They often have no choice but to stay and rebuild with insurance money. 

TN wasn’t a choice when I chose so I went with the low property tax, cheap insurance, no income tax, no weather, low maintenance, cheaper and newer inventory location that everyone is moving to. 

Buying down the rate with points is a personal choice, but if you're holding the property long-term, it can definitely be worth it for more stable cash flow.

Real estate is a slow game, where you don't become instantly, but its return can be beneficial in the long run.

@Greta Andrews Both real estate investing (REI) and business acquisitions can be profitable, but the choice depends on your goals.

Your mentor has needs; try to meet them and develop a mutually beneficial relationship.A mentor can benefit your growth, but it's not as simple as one post on a forum full of strangers.

As I have been building my foundational knowledge for investing, I am at the stage where I am also wanting to keep up with the market data that, so I may better understand the specifics of the market of my choice.