The bad news is that it's like a big credit card and easy to over-spend or spend foolishly.Make sure you're very disciplined in your spending and know how to make smart purchases before borrowing the equity.

For the two properties, what would be the expected cost to split them, and would it be a smart move long-term?

That's worth a consideration.Having a great team on site and being smart and consistent will be more important than picking the best market. 

Kiyosaki, along with The Book on Rental Property Investing: How to Create Wealth and Passive Income Through Smart Buy & Hold Real Estate Investing by Brandon Turner.I know I can get my credit to an appropriate level within 6 months, but I want to ensure I also have the money necessary to back up a good rehab and have money left over for oh crap moments. 

You've got some of the basics but I would suggest the following:- Internet & TV - Roku Smart TV, Sling TV and Netflix are some options you can explore.- Basic pots & pans for cooking- Coffee maker and filters- Salt & Pepper- Utensils, plates, bowls, cups and glasses, coffee mugs (pyrex is inexpensive and durable)- Cooking utensils like large spoons, spatula and basic cooking knives.- Paper products such as toilet paper, a bag of paper napkins, 1 paper towel roll to start them off.

Reading a prepared statement is very smart.

Smart investors will do well. 

I'm going to meet with as many lenders and private loan companies to give out all the info you guys suggested at the end of the day though I'm thinking after accumulating 5 properties in 4 years it'd be smart for me to keep stacking my money, be patient, and build enough capital to deploy on the next deal.

@Ryan Bialczak read every book about real estate ever writtenfind all the smart people active in your area doing RE investing read and listen to every bigger pockets forum page and podcast Nothing else will matter !

Despite calling it "School Ratings".None of them teach anything of useful future value to anyone beyond basic reading and basic math.The ratings you are referring to is how well the students at a particular school behave and how well they do "Exactly" what they are told by the teachers, and the students smartness level at a particular school.There are a lot of political issues surrounding the American School System, with different beliefs about it by different groups of people.Does it effect desirability of homes, yes it does for a variety of different reasons for different groups of people.Just my 2 cents.Good Luck!