Tre,I am about to post the following blog - it is sort of long, but it may help to answer your questions. 

Hi everyone,I'm a newbie from Switzerland who discovered BB by reading blogs and listening to different podcasts.I'm very new to REI because I thought it is not accessible to me.

Check this article which gives you tips to make money out off your old junk http://www.junk-works.ca/locations/blog/page/9/.

Once under contract, I validate all of my assumptions by getting an inspection, quotes, CMA ect to be sure everything is on point.When I have spare time and no deals to analyze or view, I keep up on latest market trends and strategies by reading up on BP and other blogs as well as latest building products or researching whatever current issue I'm facing in my business.I try to think ahead and get prepared for the next phase of my business. 

After a week of listening to the BP podcast and reading BP blogs, real estate just made too much sense not to pull the trigger.

@Ryan McGlasson I hope my blog post is helpful to you as I cover some basics in setting up a syndicate.Here is a link for you: Apartment Syndications And How To Tap Into Huge Passive Income Profits

@John Dodenhoff Pat Flynn has several specific podcasts and blogs about youtube channels and content worth checking out over at www.smartpassiveincome.com. 

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way for me to finally close on my first property, as well as anyone who has written inspiring discussions / blogs.

Then again, I generally play it safe which is why my RE blog is called ScaredyCatGuide.  

@Sidney Qiu If you are going follow Chad's advise and look at more passive forms of REI, such as notes/private lending you might find it useful to read a blog article I wrote here on BP about a year ago Three Key Routes for Passive Real Estate Investing