As for your other questions- identify your long term goals and adjust your investment strategy to push you towards that end. 

Long-story short, I set a six-year goal to earn both degrees, start my real estate career with an active firm for about three years, and then to go out on my own.

I’m back and my goal is to acquire another rental property by The end of March 2019.

My ultimate goal is to buy and hold for cash flow, but start out flipping and wholesaling for funding.

My current goals for this year are to become very comfortable with performing comps in my area, getting pre-approved for a mortgage to find out my buying power with conventional lenders, connect w/ a investor friendly agent and wholesalers to align on my investment criteria and begin the search!  

Top two things to do are to:educate yourself on the different aspects of RE, figure out what makes the most sense for your life goals, and to pursue a deeper knowledge of that areafigure out your financial situation because that will dictate what you can/can't doI guess that was more than two things...

BUT he will only be able to start with one property and it will take a long time to build up to No.2.It all comes down to his goals and needs.

My husband and I started a real estate investment company and we have big goals in this industry.

My goals for the future are to network and build many strong connections, own rental properties, flip houses for resale (seeming as my experience will help with the rehab process) and to make wholesale deals.

. #1 make sure you have a deal worth having #2 market the deal to REIA's and other places until you find a interested buyer.even if you dont find one for that property in 6months(and the contract falls through after 6 months) you would have gained a lot of knowledge and connections that could help further your goals and career in the business.