@Josh Jenkins I took that approach on my first rental and agree how much headache that has saved me.

I am trying to diligently save to buy properties locally but am getting interested in flipping to supplement my W2 income for a faster entrance into purchasing properties. 

I've enrolled in an inexpensive course on analyzing real estate investments and have set up various online saved searches to forward me houses that meet certain criteria. 

I am still in highschool, and my parents want me to go to college for four years and get a high paying job. i think the best way for me to start out is get into a trade (hvac) and save for about 2 years, i will be 19-20 by then and have enough for my first deal and be able to apply for a mortgage.

I like to have some money saved up aside from down payment just in case something happens in your life (laid off, accidents, and other emergencies), so I believe that it is much more safer to have at least 20-30% down payment when purchasing a home or investment property.

Here are other threads related to this question, so you can judge yourself on prevailing opinions: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/551672-asset-protectiondoes-it-even-matterhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/509923-when-has-an-llc-actually-saved-your-assetshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/551672-asset-protectiondoes-it-even-matter?

I was in a position where I had nothing to show for my efforts in life save a family that I deeply love. 

And when you recommend looking ahead with your numbers, do you mean making sure you're saving enough to afford another down payment at the end of the year?

If you are going to manage the property yourself then you must remember that any savings from managing yourself is NOT a Return On Investment.

You create systems so you don't have much time needed to manage (even remotely) and you save the PM fee.My tenants pay via Zelle or they deposit into my account at my bank.