I bought my first property (4-plex) 3 years ago in California and my plan has been to play the long game and try to cash-out refinance every 2 or so years to put towards another like property.

Any specific banks or agents you'd recommend I engage a dialog with?

Make it a habit to engage with like minded people, whether that is your family, other investors at your local REIA or here at BP :)I live by this motto: Do now, what other people are not willing to do.

20 years ago.Real Estate is a get rich slowly game so you have to get started and be patient.Real Estate makes money in 3 ways, cash flow, appreciation and mortgage paydown. 

I wouldn't worry about an LLC this early in the game.

It's just a numbers game for me.

My long term strategies are to master the game of buy and holds, who doesn't love passive income!?

I thought that was fair - he is also going to look into getting a line of credit to throw a little cash into the deal or keep it as a reserve so he has some skin in the game.  

I have heard most of them through audible or purchasing the audio books several times. and the more i listened while playing video games the more i thought i could do this.

These are what I like to call recycled product, which usually has a 5 - 8 year shelf life or in better terms the game of hot potatoes- who or which investor is getting stuck holding the bag.