I just started getting involved with it mainly because I want to provide more for my family and also because I love real estate.

Thanks for the link to the meetup Gene.

My wife has 2 brothers who are also involved in this.

If I really want to learn the ropes of RE, whether it's to invest on my own or build a product that helps everyone, what is the best way to get involved? 

I wanted to get some other opinions on whether others are thinking the market is getting too hot and if people are getting involved that shouldn't be (if you understand what I mean here).Let me knowThank you

I have been involved in real estate, both fix and flip and buy and hold, for severak years.  

Have been involved with some entrepreneurial projects in other fields before deciding to start my career in REI. 

It involves a legal battle, a fraudulent contractor and much more.  

A transaction lending company I am involved with will send proof of funds letters

In the end, this means you are not actually "spending " you money...you are "using" your money, as many times as you want/can.Second, the success of this strategy as @Brent Coombs has touched on, is very much Market based (as in dependant on the RE Market you are investing in) since it involves getting properties at a discount.Third, it works best when you are using all cash, or a cash-like substance.