Also, there's a pretty good article on Wikipedia.

BTW - One of my goals for this month was to deploy the new forums, groups, and articles for BP and we've accomplished that - so I'm psyched!

They have books for general maintenance as well as books that are specific to a given topic - like electrical.

Welcome to BiggerPockets Alex.Here is a link to a very exhaustive thread that should answer most if not all of the questions you listed above.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/19967-can-someone-please-explain-this-5-rule-to-me-?

Joshua, I think it is a terrific idea as it will be a big 2010 topic since everyone can transfer funds from a traditional to a ROTH IRA and eveyone should start thinking about it.

I am about to write some new articles on how to raise private funds for real estate investing because in the new post-bubble world normal mortgage and hard money lending is drying up and many investors are being forced to use alternative methods – one of those methods, and maybe the best, is private lending.

I have been itching to get into a topic like this.Who can blame a company for attempting to avoid or legally shelter themselves from taxes?

I am reading several books on the topic and boning up on my necessary mathematics.

I'll o read your article, thanks for posting it.

I have yet to see or hear a single guru talk about the difficulties of the business or discuss the truth about operating expenses, cash flow; or other serious matters.Having said all that, you will certainly read many books and articles while acquiring your education and starting with one book as opposed to another isn't terribly important.