I signed up a couple of week ago and I have been reading the BP starter guide and their other real estate books to gain the knowledge that I need before getting into the game. 

Lesson Learned: if it doesn't serve a purpose in your life, let it go early, move forward, and gain ground on purpose.Now, I find myself wanting to get serious and work a wealth-building model that will create wealth through passive income and long term asset growth by solving problems and meeting needs.My high level business model consists of flipping properties (wholesale & rehab) to generate cash down to purchase commercial and MFR properties with reduced financing balances to generate long-term positive cash flows.

I think that getting along with others will come as you get older and you gain more confidence.  

I have been scouting some land and it would be a really low investment for the surplus you would gain out of it.

The big gains are typically in emerging markets.

hahah ask Joanna Gaines! 

I'm hoping to gain some insight from an experienced investor, local to the area.

But since it's your first deal, it might be worth doing just to gain the experience. 

If I know I'm going to have capital gains , would it be best to spend the money that's going towards tax on the gain or spend the money on capital improvements to bring up the cost basis?

Perhaps if the numbers work, could you sell your current home, if you have lived in it for more than 2 years, in order to pay a more favorable capital gains rate, then move into the new house.