We have renters there now and they cover the mortgage with a bit of cash flow ($100/month), but the property is going to need some more major updates (windows, roof, HVAC, siding) within the next 5 years as they are starting to be at the end of their useful lives.We would like to pay off our primary residence as quickly as possible to “free us” from mortgage payments on our primary residence.My questions are below:1.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

I've been going about as long as you have and things are starting to come together and happen for me here in Sacramento.

These guru courses are almost always started by people who are, themselves, trying to get into the syndication business.  

I currently have about 50,000 saved and want to start putting it to use, knowing real estate is one of if not the safest investments.

Do you already own any properties, or are you just getting started and looking to purchase your first one?

Don't want to pay tax on selling the rentals I unfortunately don't think they actually want to utilize the 121 to sell their existing primary and then potentially buy another one-it sounds like the goal is to ultimately continue owing that initial home which I think makes this whole plan 5x more likely to be torn apart under audit because they're trying to end up with the same property they started with.  

As a beginner investor based in the Seattle metro area, I'm eager to learn from your experiences and share my journey as I get started in this field.My current strategy is to focus on live-and-flip for the first three deals (looking for my second deal) to gain hands-on experience while building equity and learning the ins and outs of renovation and the local market. 

A lot of newer investors want to get started in Real Estate and then turn the riskiest type of investment. 

For example - I have a duplex that rents for $1350 - the mortgage when I started was $636.