I have partnered up with a very experienced flipper and we are always expanding our connections.

@Austin Steed In addition to COREE, if you want to connect with other investors, there is a FREE landlording meeting this Thursday, May 26th, at Tommy's Pizza on Dublin-Granville (between Sawmill and Riverside) that features education (a Q&A session geared to newbies for general real estate investing and landlording as well as a featured speaker) and networking and has a good mix of newbies and experienced investors.

And I probably know exactly the thoughts, challenges, questions, and information overload, etc. that you might be feeling and experiencing right now.And I know the "iceberg" and the "elephant" seem very daunting right now.What helped me go from buying a duplex to buying 100+ unit deals is boiling down this business into 2 simple things, Deals and Dollars.I share more of this approach in a thread if you want to read, I quit my CPA Job to buy Large Apartment BuildingsTo summarize though, the road ahead for you will most likely have many twists and turns, challenges and setbacks.

If you are a new investor you will get more out of them then experienced investors.  

Be sure to consult with the knowledgeable and experienced CPA about the tax implications.

Have you experienced anything like this that could have possibly turned you off to the area once but that you overcame? 

Doing quality diligence requires very smart people who are experienced.  

You're in the right place to learn, to network, and to ask questions.My first note purchases happened a few years ago and involved a JV with an experienced note investor with 2nd position NPN's.

Any recommendations from the experienced crowd as where I should look for, and what are the gotchas.

That is why the more experienced contractor will start with a higher mark-up knowing that the investor will not want to pay for change orders.The best solution to this dilemma is to get better deals.