I myself have purchased numerous properties with little to no money down aside from closing costs.

I know I’ve got a lot to learn so I’m hoping to find a broker who is willing to invest in teaching a newbie!

I think its has a lot to do with actually living here and becoming attached.

I still have a lot to learn and will keep on picking away.

I know I’m young and I have a lot to learn, especially in such a high end market, but I’d love some advice for starting out.

As you mention $100/sqft is not a lot to go around.For reference I spoke to one builder and they told me just for their foundation for their latest build it cost ~$90,000 (granted it was a bigger home than 5000sqft and going to sell for closure to 1.6 - 1.7M).  

After our first offer was denied our agent asked if we could get pre-approved, since we have checked numerous properties out already and she knew we were serious it made sense.

I have worked with them numerous times and they are very professional.

We have had numerous agents take walk throughs and all of them have valued the home at 305-335k, which seems to be on par with comps in the area.

My advice would be to start off with one of the investment types you mentioned first as there is a lot to know and learn for each investment type and the last thing you want to do is overwhelm yourself and be spread to thin thinking about to many different types of investments that you forget to actually invest.