I'm a new investor (2019) with 2 properties (1 SFH solely owned and 1 apartment building, co-owned with family) in the Bay Area.

The advice of the prior two posters: "speak to your CPA" is spot on.If you are investing in syndications that have activity in states outside your own, your tax situation is sufficiently complicated to onboard a professional.

But if I had gotten my tail into gear at your age, I would probably be typing this from a cabana on my own private island. 

I live in the Portland, Maine area and am currently launching my real estate wholesaling business as a short term strategy in order to build knowledge, capital, and a network so that I can eventually start investing in my own projects such as fix and flips, and both short and long term rentals.

I own three investment properties in Indianapolis that are professionally managed.  

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for essential resources, such as websites, books, or forums, that have been invaluable to your own real estate investing journey.Furthermore, if you have referrals for trusted professionals in the DC metro area, such as contractors or property managers, I would be immensely grateful.If you're an experienced investor in this region and open to collaborating with an enthusiastic newcomer, I would love to connect and explore potential partnerships.Thank you for your support and advice.

This will create a situation where all you are responsible for is owning the property and the master tenant assumes responsibility for everything else.

Purchase price: $230,000 Cash invested: $50,000 Duplex next to another duplex I own.

I am way ahead of where I think I would have been just through my own research.

HOWEVER, I personally always prefer to own the entire property.