@Kim Tucker Alright, I am working on finding an organization to work with to get one.

Can any of you recommend a good way for us to organize our finances so that all costs can be easily tracked and split 50/50?

Reading books and blogs, interacting with other investors/mentors (both local and not)2) Research and purchase my first rental property within 3 months (with a preference for a duplex or triplex hack)3) Generate a smart portfolio of rental properties that reaches $5,000 in monthly cash flow within five years.4) Achieve a net worth of seven figures through organic real estate portfolio equity (ongoing).Life Goals:1) Lose 20lbs before February 1st  (Thanksgiving has lit a proverbial fire under me)2) Improve my softball swing during the winter in preparation for next season3) Ski Jackson Hole within the next 3 seasons (it's next on my hitlist)4) Achieve a comfortable living with a satisfying work/life balance (this is vague, I know, but I believe this vision will become clearer if I know at least what direction I'm steering)I appreciate any and all input, any stories, wisdom, pitfalls, triumphs, critiques, and opinions as I set off (and throughout) my journey.

Is there any real estate meetings or organizations near Orlando, FL or Brevard County that I could be involved with?

But, as mentioned, check out first time home buyer programs, often the credit side isn't as strict, might be 3% down, some allow non-profit organizations to assist you, sounds like a better way to go in a hot market, you may not have to settle for a pig that can't be financed as you might under seller financing.

i tried that earlier this year. i set up a house for disabled thinking i had a few case managers lined up ready to fill the house. i was wrong. i had an amazing house for them and they vanished making excuses that they had no cases for me (before that they were "flooded" with cases)then i started calling organizations/facilities.... they sounded like i was going crazy asking them for disabled people to rent this house.mind boggling!

I am working on creating a rough spreadsheet where I will be able to organize and calculate different properties to find out if they would be a good fit to further research.

Although the organization offering the investments may do the tracking to not allow you to over invest, so that be be the safeguard.

When I was a new, I really appreciated someone else taking care of organizing escrow, etc. 

First off i just want to say hello to the BiggerPockets community and I'm excited to be apart of this great organization!