You can look into partnering with local folks - PMs and the like - or leverage connections by investing through other people's deals to establish your credibility. 

THe Education tab has forums and webinars.

Hopefully some of my investments could eventually pay for their education.

I believe that helping a fellow man or woman can be very rewarding in the education of any trait or field.

And I am dealing with educated professionals in the 250K range for annual income.

I am looking to add leverage strategy in order to increase my innovatory of flips.

It is going to depend on what you are comfortable with and how much you want to leverage. 

I have been educating myself on real estate for over a year now and have been working with a realtor for a couple months. 

You are right about me needing to do due diligence in those areas and taking a more educated risk.

I would try and get a multi-unit property, although I'm not a US investor so correct me if I'm wrong, but by leveraging it as a 20% down payment, you're able to get a 4 or 5 unit property, which, with the right property, could be a cash flow BEAST, but I would be sure to factor in everything conservatively and definitely keep property management in mind.