I don't even use online listings.

Ian did you use an online lender, local mortgage broker, or a direct contact at a local bank nearby??

Then when the time comes I have money for down payments and mortgage payments.From what I have been seeing is instead of banking up that 200-300k taking about 5 years to get there, I can just soak up a bunch of knowledge and experience for a year or two and get money from the bank and rent out houses and flip them, which would save me from working my but off in sales just for that 60-100k job.I currently have 0 debt and about 2 years of credit history, 750 credit score, and 5k saved up at the moment, I had to pay for 2 years of college that sort of took most of the money I have been making.I have been reading articles online and such but my question is, what kind of books/podcasts should I be reading or listending to in order to broaden my horizon on REI and renting out RE?

If you want to save a ton of money on doorknobs, fixtures and other hardware, stay as far away from HD and Lowes as you can and shop on eBay.

Real estate agents might be able to provide you a standard state contract, a real estate attorney can likely provide you one, and you can probably find samples online or in the fileplace (though beware that they may not be legal for your state).

I had been investing in real estate as a sideline since 1981, when I started building a chain if automotive repair shops.

Ned, I've seen similar "cooperation" by bidders at the Fort Myers auctions years ago, before they went online.

You might consider taking a Real Estate Principles class online, or at a community college.

I think it only took one or two iterations of shopping deals before I started hearing terminology I had not been overly exposed to and dealing with concepts that were new to me.

I have all my tenants set up for online pay.