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.

Travis Lloyd Now that's they key to it.

After all, I enjoy getting checks monthly - but it would nice to cash in a fat check once in while too.Question 2 - Networking is key to finding good deals - MLS can have some good deals periodically - but the best deals are going to come from a distressed situation that you find out about through word of mouth - and that means staying in front of your network and growing it so that you are exposed to new situations and opportunities.

Opinions vary on getting your real estate license, I might just look for a great investor friendly realtor.Set up some key word alerts for topics and geographic areas you are interested in.  

But the key is that it does not affect your Debt-to-income ratio.But I'd say pull it out and start buying properties!!!

Charleston as a rental market is very under the radar.. no turn key companies but talk about solid fundamentals.. you have enough Organic buyers in your market to really not need to go nationwide like other markets to find buyers.

the key is to make this a win-win and financially attractive on both sides of the dash.Hope this helps.

and...2) What are some words of advice for screening different people in the real estate world - put another way, what are some types/people to be wary of or avoid altogether?

@John Fleming I don't know any realtors/brokers in NOLA, but I do have connections with several of the professional short-term rental managers down there if you're looking for someone to handle the airbnb/turn-key aspect of it.

Put a code on front door and tenants can leave keys behind with easy access to other tenants.