My career has been in client services and tech sales to this point, but looking for something different and have had an interest in real estate investment from afar, but it always seemed unrealistic for a novice with limited disposable income.

That is all it took for me to propel my real estate career.

My opinion may be bias as my real estate career is here in the Philadelphia area. 

A lot of criminals apply for jobs as cops and prosecutors, make a career of prosecuting innocent people (it's easier to frame up and use one of your paid informers, professional criminals, to send a dupe to prison while real murderers and predators who commit the crimes roam the streets).

I'm applying for various Leasing Administrator and Assistant Property Manager roles, although it's a slight career switch from my normal day job as an executive assistant.

Beyond a local CU or bank the next best way to find a suitable location is probably a referral from your RE broker or listing broker.

It would be a long, painful, drawn-out learning experience for you, and unless you plan on specializing in assets like your duplex for the next 10-15 years to get your real estate investing career off the ground, I don't think it's worth it.I do speak from some experience here, Marlia.In 2017, I bought a duplex that was a converted from a big old single-family.I bought the duplex for $5000 at the county sheriff's sale.

We have always managed all of our rentals but 8 month ago I made a career change and it wasn't working. 

It would be best for you to go over a suitable business structure and tax implications.

With smaller contractors that do multiple trades, I've learned over my career there's a golden question and it has changed how I screen subs, vendors, and workers.