I think everyone's situation is different, and each person's journey in discovering the kind of investor they want to be can be discovered by trial & error, or education through partnering with someone or learning through the books, podcasts or forums available to you. 

I am looking to learn how to do Fix and Flips, Buy and Holds, wholesale, Foreclosures, and Short Sale purchasing.

I am looking to learn how to do Fix and Flips, Buy and Holds, wholesale, Foreclosures, and Short Sale purchasing.

You can probably pay the same or less than what you're paying in Astoria if you house-hack a duplex.The only way I'd suggest a SFR as a first investment is if it has a live-in basement that you'd be willing to live in short-term.As far as location, its best to first get an idea of what you're qualified to purchase.

For instance do you pay the entirety of the rental price and after rely on your marketing to fill the space with short term rentals? 

I went through a huge ordeal on a short sale where a coach house was not legally cert-ed and it took a few weeks before the listing agent convinced the zoning board to add it.

It was very interesting and I am glad I did it, but it's crazy time consuming (I general'ed it myself ), ties up so much capital and is quite risky actuallly - "spec home" is short for speculation after all.

An exception is if a market has over demand and a short supply for that product type then it can still sustain itself.This is just what I saw in the last down cycle.

I have a short-term rental property and a long-term rental property.

Your inspection contingency covers you for problems not disclosed or discovered after inspection.