Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Connect with a real estate agent specializing in investment properties in your target areas.Good luck!

Did you call your insurance agent? 

The objective is to make a profit, not merely own real estate and this is often forgotten. 

In either case and if you will you debt to acquire the real estate, it must be non-recourse financing.

As an agent for this business--offering it's services for a commission, would that also open you up to legal exposure???

You of course need to strategically purchase the property to where it will meet your investment criteria when you depart, which is where a good agent comes into play. 

You need a great commercial agent on your team, a cpa who specializes in land development, a great architect, a surveyor who can do your short plats, a great dirt and underground utility guy, and a great permit specialist. 

I am pretty new in the world of real estate.

Relax by the beach, soak up the sun, and dive deep into real estate knowledge, all in one extraordinary event.