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

My real passion is residential real estate.

We do 7-8 flips a year and always use the same local closing attorney. 

In 28 years we had only two court evictions both in the early years (listed rentals in the local newspaper) and prior to using a Realtor.

I’m looking to start my real estate journey by house hacking a duplex and living there with my family while I renovate my primary residence.

I keep hearing how real estate is the greatest tax haven. 

Platforms like Rentometer and Zillow can give you rent data to compare properties.Networking Locally: Reach out to agents and local investors.

My best advise is that unless you’re in the BUSINESS of real estate, in other words if you’re just a part time investor, then skip the direct mail, email blasts, SEM, etc. and go to the people who have already obtained the lead - and negotiate a good deal.  

I am new to real estate investing, but are ready to dive in.

Maybe it's a personal choice, or it depends on which state you're conducting real estate business.Originally posted by @Anthony Wick:I’d probably shorten the letter a bit.