If you are already achieving great cash flow, the appreciation is just icing on the cake.

If limited liability/asset protection is the concern, you may be able to achieve similar results from a 3rd party property manager and adequate insurance.  

Once you identify the end goal you can work backwards to find the right place to help you achieve that goal by identifying certain markets or areas within markets that are a food fit for you.

If your goal is to cash flow a little every month or break even (using BP principles to analyze), it might be tough to find a turnkey property on our MLS in an area you would want to live that would achieve that goal.  

Achieved compounded annual appreciation growth rate of 7.5% at time of sale.How did you add value to the deal?

You just defer the lowest priority work until the lender reserve is released and you complete the capital improvements then.You might even find out you can achieve desired outcomes without spending the full $1 million budget.

From that point, you can then figure out the type of property / strategy / market that would best help you achieve that goal.

Anyways, what kind of tips and advice could be offered up to help me begin to build a network so I can achieve success once I am licensed?

Not everyone has the motivation and plan of action to achieve like they say, " A plan without an action is just a dream". 

Job = number 1 priorityRental investments come after the #1 priority.Focus on your job and funnel the money into your investments until you achieve what you were looking to achieve with your rental investments.Regarding the $150,000 cap, your rental losses get suspended.