Should I start with an agent who can help me find the property, then start to build my network, or do my own on-line research to find the property?

This is a great online community and wishing the best in your success :) 

YOU work in Vancouver or WA and you pay NO state income tax.. your partner has some hiccup on the drive but its only about a 3 mile traffic jam then your off the freeway on surface streets to Portland State... and there is a huge water front deal going on in Vancouver.. it could be a real good play .. but something to check out.living down south like Newberg or anything like that is a non starter unless you want to drive an hour each way.but I have two duplex's that I can send your way they are both in Beaverton and are off market I would let you look at those before we list them and deal with multiple offers etc. in the process of rehabbing them now.good luck with your search.. if you can handle the weather here it can be a nice place to live like its been raining for 2 straight days.. many of us Californians really get sick of it and want to go back home LOL..

BP has free online videos and courses for you to watch and learn from.

She can stop the eviction process by paying you in 3 days from when you post the 3 days to pay or quit notice (you can download one from online).

@Konstantin SamorodskiyWhether you need explicit permission from the local planning/zoning folks will depend on how the present zoning is defined and whether you are within the allowances/requirements  (distances from property lines, surface coverage, etc.)

BP offers free online courses and videos for you to watch and learn from and also has it's own podcast in itunes.

BP has free online courses and videos and also has it's own podcast in tunes.

It has great educational resources such as free online courses and videos.

BP also has it's own podcast in itunes and great educational material including free online courses and videos.