I expect to understand the area I want to buy in, the type of property that produces a decent roi, and have the network necessary to foster growth and success.I plan to accomplish this major milestone by taking advantage of my 0% down VA home loan to purchase a four-plex and househack it.

Thanks for that information @Dave Foster I guess thats good news for me.

@Dave Foster wow, very understandable!

Face-to-face interaction is the most valuable if you can get it.Always, always stay until after the end, hang out, and get to know people.

I am using this forum for the first time to connect with you and would love to meet people around my area as well.Looking forward to interact and keep learning with all of you!

Learn how to interact with people to get the result you want in a way that is professional, etc.

And Many people agree that an LLC won’t really help a small-time investor since you’ll likely be managing the property, it’s not like you can say you didn’t have interactions with it in a lawsuit anyway.

I’ve already used some of your suggestions in my interactions with potential inspectors.  

Here's an article we wrote for BP on the subject - https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/12255-dave-foster-the-1031-investor/86034-1031-exchange-qualified-intermediary-local-vs-national. 

Thankful that God takes care of the stupid, however, and my purchase is looking at a respectable, not necessarily great, cap rate.I am thrilled that BP exists, excited that in a few short weeks I feel like I have already learned so much but have only really scratched the surface, overwhelmed that I can see a path to financial stability for my family.I look forward to interacting with and learning from so many of you, and eventually hopefully being a story that can possibly give other single dads and moms hope!