Have you read The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Investing?

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

A contractor I use mentioned one of his other customers was retiring from the business and looking to sell his rental property.  

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

There is one main builder in the area that is booming but again, custom builder $300k + lot.

I'd recommend the site's Ultimate Beginner's Guide to get familiar with some new terminology and go from there.You're lucky you're starting with an in-person investor contact :)

Be sure to check out “Learn” for all kinds of useful resources and free how to guides.

There are some beginner's guides here.

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

You can start with the course on the Ultimate Beginner's Guide.