And the Professional Investors Guild is a great resource for learning about wholesaling and rehabbing, and of course networking. 

The most useful resource for me is looking at other professionally done houses.  

So my question is geared to the real estate professionals and I'm interested in finding out, what is the best way to find an agent that will help me find a beach rental property while being considerate of their time knowing this process could take months?

(Michael Quarles gets credit for that one) Next, find out exactly what your state laws are regarding wholesaling, assigning contracts, marketing properties you don't own and receiving compensation from the sale/purchase of a real estate transaction.

If your not thinking the rental route, I have to say I personally received an excellent education buying and flipping my first property, did 80% of the work myself, watching youtube videos to learn how to tile along the way, etc.

Otherwise, go above board and find a good, professional management company to run things. 

Neighborhood demographic: will you be renting to students around a university (generally higher rents but more turnover), young professionals, or families?

I think all you need is a title company to close your transactions - no don't need an account at this time - most title companies have lawyers to close your transactions -You should make sure that you buy real estate at a giant discount - Understand the management process - learn how to be a good landlord - a tenant is a customer - the tenant is the person who will pay for your mortgage - treat them well.Find discounted real estate from landlords who find themselves in rent court -Start to deal directly with owners - I don't think you should depend on agents selling retail properties - you need to go under-ground for great deals -Tax salesPublic AuctionsRun print ads and radio commercialsInternet - 5 weeks ago I created an internet site - I have received over 200 leads - have 70 offers out there and 15 ratified contracts - learn those systems and you will do well.Expired listings - go knock on some of those doors - an expired listing is  FAILURE of property to sell - I am sure the sellers are not happy - go find them and solve their problems.Direct mail to commercial properties owners - commercial buildings can be  great profit center - when you advertise for real estate - signs - internet or mailings always advertise - WANTED REAL ESTATE - houses - commercial and non-conforming properties - all cash -as is - no commission.

We've received some quotes but they are all over the board and vary $7k between the low and high bids.

., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)