House hacking allows people to start this journey in their own home and increase leverage through FHA and other low-down-payment loan options.There is nothing stopping you from just buying a rental property.

After we've saved for a couple SFRs, we may leverage, but we're less comfortable with anything too risky. 

From what I hear and read, South Florida, and Miami in particular is currently not a good investment market, and I see that as a good thing for me because I need 2-3 more months of education and networking before I can even come up with a sound strategy. 

Great idea on leveraging and making your money work hard for you Adam.

My husband and I bought our first duplex 2 years almost to the day and we have been working to get our next investment property in the near future.In all my research and education, I've realized that I feel stuck in my current day job and I know my skills are much better suited for the real estate industry.

Hopefully all the books BP and non BP books, BP education, BP podcasts, and BP forums will flow out of me!!!  

Its simply a way to get a few grand out of your pocket and into theirs for a bunch of largely useless educational material.

I joined the school of hard knocks education in rentals and built a great team as I traveled for work in 2009. 

My question is, should i file for an LLC while i am educating myself  or stay as a sole proprietor and wait until I get my first property?  

Been self educating myself for awhile with books, podcast, webinars.