Just be patient with yellow letters.  

Just be patient and you will do better.  

For example, you set up key word alerts. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

Will buy and hold --- rental income is KEY.. will live in one unit.  

In addition to all the great information, networking is a key component.

I personally have kept all of our houses for 3 reasons1) place holder in the appreciation - if the house goes up in the market i can capture them.2) tax shelter- any "book" loss because depreciation helps me with my taxes, and gains are shielded by depreciation3) principle pay down- Your tenant is also paying down the mortgage.The key of course is expenses.

It does look like some data mining based on key words, a link here, county records there...Always trying to sell you something extra... 

For example, you set up key word alerts. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

It's hard to be patient with all the new knowledge, but the loan costs probably outweigh the advantage of getting started a little earlier like you said. 

Being patient is part of our business!