You can also check meetup.com or search facebook for real estate investment groups, clubs, or meetings in your area.

100% agreed with above, check your market. 

As far as Steven’s journey goes, I would definitely encourage him to check out multiple different strategies and see what aligns best with his desired goals and capabilities (access to capital, time, etc).

I thought that, at least I could deduct property taxes, Interest, PMI and Home owner's insurance.I am being told that, basically, we have to treat the entire rent check as taxable profit because of our income.

Thank John, will definitely check that out!

Would it all just be mostly the same: general background check (including prior evictions, lawsuits, etc), credit check, income verification, landlord references?

If the property is in the City of Los Angeles, check out Zimas.LaCity.org to make sure it isn't subject to RSO (Rent Stabilization Ordinance aka Rent Control). 

If you mail, be sure to mail to the correct address which can be found on the instructions (first result on google if you google "form 4868")If a payment is due with any of the above, you can include a check with your mailed form, or you can pay directly through the IRS DirectPay system and select "extension" as the reasoning for the payment.

You can check it out here.

.- We've upgraded 75% of the units with fresh flooring, paint, cabinets, countertops, and appliances as needed.When we took over the property the 16 units were producing around $9000/month in gross rent.I just checked our rent roll today, and we just crossed $17,000 in gross income monthly!