If there are investor meet ups or associations in your area to join, join them.  

If you aren't already do all the standard personal finance stuff, like maxing out 401k's, backdoor IRA's, HSA's, you should.  

Thanks, and I hope to virtually meet you all. 

Because of the prices in my area, it seems harder to find properties that meet my basic criteria for cash flow in my area.I'd like to find a resource that enables me to compare rental property markets in one view. 

I am also hoping to meet people from the area that are selling and managing real estate.

I cant wait to meet and soak up the abundance of info here.

Thanks Account Closed - I will be happy to meet and talk RE and you don't have to buy lunch for me :)  I am also in Cupertino so it is real convenient.  

@Kim Tucker Thanks Kim, I actually just told my wife 10 minutes ago that I'm going to attend the meeting on Tuesday night for the first time.

@Abdul Azeez, I think that the problem is that you are stacking the deck against yourself trying to do all of these things on your first deal:1) Purchasing the property from an online auction site / bank, which is notoriously tricky even for the experienced investor, due to their proprietary contracts and minimal due diligence period and strict deadlines.2) Working with a new contractor that you haven't used before, or seen their work before, and who may not be used to dealing with investors.3) Trying to get conventional financing on a property that has a short closing time and where the mechanical systems cannot be tested.4) Working on your first deal by yourself instead of partnering with a local investor who can guide you along, or at least a mentor who you can turn to with questions.My advice is to make it easier on yourself by considering buying a property with a standard contract and longer due diligence period, network with local investors who can provide you contractor contacts and also some guidance, and consider using private financing or hard money instead of bank financing.In my opinion, buying from the online auction sites is a more advanced strategy that you can use once you are able to ballpark construction costs yourself and/or you have a trusted contractor you've worked with before and/or you have private financing or hard money set up so you can close fast and/or you can purchase the property without interior access and hope to get lucky in terms of condition (but still buy at a price where you are comfortable doing a full rehab if necessary without losing much money) and/or you are familiar with agreement of sale contracts and closings in your state so you can assess the risks of using the bank's seller-friendly contract.You're already doing the right things by asking questions on this forum, and taking action.  

They seem to give me the standard answers.