Nothing ventured nothing gained.

@Brian PulaskiI have the correct tradesmans but, it is difficult to understand the scope of work without gaining access to the inside of the property until the current residents are out.As long as major work is not needed then I expect to be done within the 60 days. 

If you are focused on networking with agents, then do your best to go above and beyond to help them help you.It can be easy to pick up the phone and call a listing agent, but it may be more difficult to convince them you should be at the top of their list when they have a deal.Here are some ways to gain their attention.Double End the TransactionMake sure agents know you will use them not just for the purchase of the property but also for the sale of the property.

There are a ton of resources on here that will benefit you.Attend local REIA meetings and connect with like-minded investors: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetRead the Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingListen to the BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

As a newbie RE Investor, do you think I would benefit by becoming a Realtor?  

As a newbie RE Investor, do you think I would benefit by becoming a Realtor?  

If so then you will not receive your funds until then so your accountant could treat the initial sale as an installment sale with no receipts and have all of the receipts come in 2019 which means that your gain won't be recognized until 2019 so you won't pay tax until April of 2020.  

I wrote a blog about the benefits if you want to take a look.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/9232/55313-intro-to-section-8---your-perceptions-vs-my-realities

It's a semi-large bank and working with a local credit union seems more appealing (plus the added benefit of proving him completely wrong). 

We are waiting to sell our current house so we don't pay capital gains.