Regarding your question about the 5-year period, I believe you are talking about the built-in-gains (BIG) tax but you may also be talking about Section 351 transfers.The BIG tax allows you to avoid taxation at the highest corporate level on your built in gains when you convert a C Corp to an S Corp as long as you don't sell the property or otherwise recognize those gains within a five year period.

From a high level, figure out what means retiring to you.

Probably the best ways to get started depending on your cash level is to wholesale or do Fix and Flip.  

The greatest advice I  ever received was Run your personal life like a business.If you don't have a personal balance sheet and income statement DONE AT LEAST quarterly you are doing yourself a huge injustice.

The meetings are always full of like-minded investors of all experience levels and it's a very comfortable place to make new contacts no matter how much experience you have.Hope you enjoy the meeting!

I'm subject to FDCPA rules on a Federal level and similar rules on a state level (Depending on the state).

When you gain a comfort level you may offer someone a loan secured by their investment.

Some of the issues brought to our attention by current tenant would need to be addressed by the seller before acquisition.There is a potential piping issue or cracked pipe somewhere as the tenant complained about some water level problems.  

Also, you'll never learn with the same level of interest as when it's your money at risk.

The market is really hot right now at a national level.