This will expose you to the different markets, expand your network and help you save for a dp.The other option (which I suggest, or worked for me when I started out) is to secure a property that will cash flow, complete your due deligence, complete a thorough analysis and then present it to a partner (friend or family) who will put down the cash, while you act as the industry professional with all the knowledge.  

You are not saving the seller or the buyr anything by not using your own agent. 

I was thinking of saving costs on the next renovation by doing wall AC units (essentially bigger window ACs) 

Any money you can save will directly go to your pocket at the end. 

The one that jumped out the most said something to the effect of “the problem with real estate investing is that you save and save and save for a property.

Any money "saved" is sometimes recovered later in a lawsuit.

Or, avoid the unknown of possible pitfalls and further unseen damage that we'd be taking on, and save the capital for another investment? 

If I am reading them right (I have the PDF's);Non-Owner OccupiedOrdinance 14-17: $100 per unit annually for units 1 & 2, $50 for unit 3 $100 per unit annually for all unit >4 (not sure if you save $50 on 3rd unit)Reading this ordinance carefully, unit 4 may not actually be coveredOwner OccupiedOrdinance 15-17:   $100 on sale of 2-3 unit  $400 on sale of 4-39 unit  $1,000 on sale of >39 unitOrdinance 16-17:   $100 on sale of Single Family HouseNot sure if these are over and above the POS inspection fee required for a sale in East Cleveland.

Unless you have other source of income or large savings will be very difficult to invest in Real Estate..Banks will not lend to you and if you Partner up with someone what do you have to offer?

Not sure of the legality of it but I think it is too risky for only a potential savings of $50.