Definitely get pre approved before you start looking to buy as you will know what your limitations are, and definitely make a budget based on all your income and expenses now and what they would look like with a mortgage, water bill, utilities to see what works best for you. 

I want to manage the local units myself through my management company (managing is a passion of mine) and utilize a local team for my long distance props. 

Pick their brains, be a sponge, and soak up the information.

I would reccomend picking it up so you can review the content before you take it again! 

Pick a niche, learn enough to be confident to move foward, make moves.

Pick one or two of the things you listed in your post and take concrete steps towards those goals, and write them down somewhere, this will help. 

For every key invented, there is a lock pick.

My original budget for insurance, utilities, rehab, holding all came out to $10,000.

Both structures have their separate utility meters.The main house was leveled in 2003 so that will need to be taken care of; 4.5k. 1.5k for drywall repairs after the house is leveled. 

I am looking to move and get started as soon as possible, and figured that with a resource like Bigger Pockets I should utilize it.