It’s harder to gain access to the house of course but even having just one contractor come out to meet you would be super beneficial.

Make a few improvements and iron out your process for listing and renting the property. 

2% isn't totally mythical, but you have to buy very discounted and not over improve.

I have access to $20-$30K for downpayment etc. 800+ credit score, a good paying job, and need to find a local REI friendly lender to not only lend money but perhaps even lend advice on best ways to get my 30K to work for me.Property under agreement is in Des Moines proper but I will be looking to buy in the surrounding communities to the south as well (Indianola, Norwalk, West Des Moines, Carlisle).I could go to a big bank and finance this first house but I would like to start a long term relationship now.

Income is strong, but there is opportunity to improve upon the current rent role with a few thousand invested in a basic clean up.At the risk of sounding like a total newby... 

So my question is would it be advantageous getting a CA real estate license to familiarize my self with the process and laws then get another license in NC to gain access to the MLS and then build from there or wait for my move and just continue general studying until I can properly focus on my market and state specific laws?

So my question is would it be advantageous getting a CA real estate license to familiarize my self with the process and laws then get another license in NC to gain access to the MLS and then build from there or wait for my move and just continue general studying until I can properly focus on my market and state specific laws?

There isn’t a good answer to this without more information about the investor’s free time available to manage/improve property, current inventory of skills and abilities, risk tolerance, end goal, and time horizon.  

I spent around 10k in improvements over the four years I lived in the house.

If you have MLS access, what do the comps show you?