This will be my first, I am just curious as to the steps I need to take, do you recommend doing it alone or with aide from a company such as legal zoom or a lawyer.  

Ill just compare the closest two to make it simple.

Yes, the closest laundry mat is far. 

Was thinking that FF would be best, but know if they're more independent, they'll most likely look around themselves vs letting an agency set them up - that way they can choose the best option which may be closest, closest to what they are looking for in home layout, price with possibly being able to be able to profit more of the housing stipend, etc.

It's not meant to aid RE investors.

The closest major city is Hartford, about 30 minutes west.I  am looking for any advice on what my next step should be.

I would imagine that the areas closest to east mesa and the freeway would be places that will only get more popular.

Being new to investing in rentals and real estate in general, I basically chose what was closest to me and in my price range without any awareness of things such as taxes being on the rise.

Perhaps nearby more country residents see Cleveland as their closest big city amenities for higher end options, museums, theater, concert, sports etc.    

Other then that, I don't know of a single program of any kind that lends itself to all that, closest being getting a license and changing career to Real Estate which isn't a realistic option, right.