You can learn on your own for free - or close to it - but these topics don't always come naturally to people just by reading a text book.Once you've gotten those concepts down, I think everything else you read (on here or elsewhere) will begin to click for you that much faster.

You're actually slowing me down because I can do it 5x faster vs teach you how to do it. 

Heck as an agent it is easier and faster for me to help a client buy a condo or SFR as there are more of them around and less supply of 2-4 units but that's how much I believe in 2-4 unit investing (I put my money where my mouth is as well and own 2-4 unit property myself and look to add more).It doesn't always take very long either, for example, I met a VA buyer on May 1st and we were in escrow on a great multifamily property 8 days later. 

You don't necessarily have to have money to start, but savings and a W2 job will help you on your path to financial freedom a lot faster.

(It’s almost 2 months faster having the cash flow of $500 /month from the first property).

Smarter, Faster, Better - Charles DuhiggDeep Work - Cal NewportAny plans on where you want to go to college?

Typically, the faster a city is growing, the harder it will be to cash flow, but there are cities that have slower growth rates that you can still have decent cash flow and be fairly certain that your investment will appreciate, too.

However, had I started smart REI at your age, I would have built wealth faster and retired earlier. 

I understand permit is important and useful but currently my tenants family don't have any hot water and I want to make the process faster. 

Pros:  About 2 extra days more with family, perhaps tenants will be more on their toes, I can catch & address problems faster Let's hear thoughts & opinion.