Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bpThe second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Louis area whose niche/focus is on investors and are open to sponsoring me once I have passed my exam.

Buy the best you can and focus on a building that will attract the class of tenant you want to deal with.

As a result, we place a lot of focus on customer service (investor relations), communication and reporting. 

Comps have been an issue however, I buy to hold so my main focus has been rent per SF and vacancy rates.

I'd focus on those.And spare the "Show Me How, Be Happy & Positive, Don't Be Negative and Tell Me No" pablum. 

I can connect you with a couple of wholesalers as well, but those deals aren't very laser focused on any specific buying profile... so it could take a very  long time to find the needle in the haystack with wholesalers. 

My end goal is to fire my employer and focus on a rental portfolio.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bpThe second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

I'm interested in 4-plexs under 300k with value-add potential in the Kansas City and KC metro areas, but want to narrow the areas I'm looking to get better focus and understand the values of that area.