Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged.Since you didn't mention a specific area of interest, I listed three of the most popular niches from which you can select one or all.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Your time here will be well spent.You didn't mention a REI area of interest, so I added the below links for the three most popular niches for your selection of one or all.

Preferably make sure they are independent and not working for a large realty company. 

Finally, the strategy of turning your primary into a rental and purchasing another primary works best when the market is tanking, not when it is hot ... then in 2 years and change if/when the market recovers, you can sell your 1st tax free, or keep as a rental if you prefer at that time ... buy low, then sell high rather than sell high, buy high (or sell low, buy low) like most people do. 

There's also Matt Griffith of Griffith Law and his team (they host the monthly INREIA meetings), I know a great out of state CPA, but if you're looking locally, I recommend you reach out to Kelley Hardesty Smith & Cothanks for the tip, alain. i don't care too much about local or not, though i suppose there's a slight preference towards local in the case of a jump ball, so please feel free to message me or post here w their info. i'll chat w matt in the next few weeks then as i'll be heading to one of the meets here soon.thanks!

Of #1-3 I prefer #1&2 over #3 as I feel the provider has more "skin in the game" and their compensation is better aligned to yours as the passive investor.

@Danielle J.Welcome to BiggerPockets, a place to interact with a vibrant REI group, learn the real estate business and language.Since you did not mention a specific area of interest, I added links to three of the most popular niches for your to select one or all while you wait for local networking contacts.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)It doesn't matter if you are young or old, totally new or need to build upon your experience.Yes, you have just announced a commitment to the thousands in this community about your seriousness regarding REI and have taken this bold step to affirm it.Your time on this site with the BiggerPockets community will be well spent and can be financially rewarding if you so desire.Don't get overwhelmed by the massive amount of data archived on this site.Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

I generally prefer subject to and back into the spread.

Thanks.My investment goals are to buy rental properties and would personally prefer a bigger city in the warmer climates, with a diverse population and good job market.

They failed to attract the really great developers and commercial real estate pros that are needed to successful manage a project with complicated and relatively expensive financing solutions - these developers weren't crowdfunding in many cases until AFTER they had raised some private money, gotten some commercial loans, invested personally, and THEN raised the last chunk through the crowd.It is therefore my opinion that the opportunity to enter this particular niche of crowdfunding will be difficult for new entrants.Instead, it seems that crowdfunding portals are having much more success financing DEBT for real estate deals.