@Marian Smith- INCREDIBLY valuable advice in just your first sentence.

Numbers are a guide - not reality.

There are so many advices given in the forum and they are valuable!!

In my personal experience it's worth just finding a great local agent that also invests- they will help you evaluate properties based on the info on the MLS but more importantly from real data in the field, as well as guide you through the buying process such as when to ask for what from the seller. 

Aside from the ultimate beginner’s guide, what are some of your favorite articles/resources that helped educate you when you first started on this route?

Is it valuable to consider any particular additional contingencies in the offer?

So glad you've already learned so much just from lurking :) This site has so many valuable tidbits of information and resources.Dayton and Cincinnati are a great place to start if you're wanting to invest in rentals out in Ohio.

What is the cheapest online realtor exam study guide ?

The Zillow app lets you view home prices by location on the go and offers filters and search options to zero in on your next home.Best for Learning About Real Estate: Bigger Pockets Bigger Pockets offers a huge range of free resources to learn about real estate, including blog posts, podcasts, ebooks, guides and forums.

You gave me a great start and some valuable info that I can use to move forward with finding a property management company that will be right for me. :)