It's good to research this all upfront before you start spending a bunch of money on campaigns etc.

You are definitely going about this the right way - asking questions, learning, researching.

I think 99% of your research can be done here at BP.

My further research lead me to this site.

I plan on attending some local REI groups (thanks for the suggestion Ann) and Mike thank you for taking the time to lay out a good place to start with my goal setting and research).As far as working capital I also have a couple of older IRA accounts from a previous employer.

JohnsonSome other areas you need to research BEFORE you sign on the dotted line are:1.

Thanks a lot James and brandon, I have been looking at that beginners guide and have been doing my own research before this.

You mentioned the trouble with deals in SoCal and I've been researching that to death all up and down CA to find a market, in State, vs. going out of State. 

I have the work ethic to dig in and do the research, but...Where do I start?

I personally don't feel like flipping is dead in LA at all, especially in the area I've been targeting and researching.