BP has some of the most experienced, and intelligent real estate investors, lenders, partners, developers, contractors, property managers, architects, etc. anywhere.

I'd like to find something small and manageable to learn how to landlord before getting into a bigger deal.I look forward to just lurking around the forums and learning a lot, and maybe popping in with some questions to learn from the more experienced members here."

That is not me, I am a real estate professional however proving it requires being an Ivy league experienced lawyer.

I would love to sit down will some experienced  people and or find some groups in my area that get together for things like this.

While anything is possible, I would say it's not advisable to have your first investment 100% financed, for many reasons.While you may not have amazing credit or 6 figures sitting in the bank, it's important that you know that you do have resources and do bring value to the table.I strongly recommend that you partner up with an experienced investor and learn from them.  

An experienced investor, with knowledge about titles, can get away with it in certain circumstances. 

Id like to partner up with an experienced commercial investor to possibly purchase apartment complex.

If your just buying to hold onto a house ,you can network with investor experienced realtors to find you properties.

I actually have seen where portfolio lenders advertise using one property as down payment on another, but have not experienced this, and when I have spoken to their loan officers, generally do not get an answer on whether they would actually do it.More importantly, you will learn that even with a cash-out refi, you will likely not find anyone who will lend more than 70 - 75% of appraised value, and with the cost of the loan, it would likely not be worth it to you for the 10 - 15K you could potentially take out if you currently owe 60K on the 1st mortgage.  

Does that look like 8 layers to you more experienced folk?