Basic strategies, where to look for deals, fees associated with buying, or anything else that may come to mind.

I also used to be treasurer of the West San Bern County Bar Association Legal Aid and know plenty of attorneys in the area.Good referral sources include the Bar Association, your title company and real estate boards. 

George and Bob are associated.

There are many REIA-type clubs in Houston, but the organization that is associated with the National REIA is the RICH (Realty Investment Club of Houston) Club.

But as far as I know, there is No mortgage associated with a land contract, as title has not transferred. 

When I finally spoke with someone, like you, I didn't like how inexperienced the associate was and it was evident he was just asking me questions from a script which gave me little assurance he knew what to do with my hard money deal. 

That club is Los Angeles-Asian Real Estate Investor Association also known as LAREIA.

For the book, I recommend the "Real estate manual for sales associates and brokers, 38th edition" from Dearborn.I passed my license two days ago :)Good luck!

I regularly attend the North Texas Association of Real Estate Investors meetings (www.ntarei.com) whose monthly meeting is this evening.

If you choose the Realtor route it will take a lot of patience, hours prospecting, monthly expenses to your broker and Realtor association, marketing, etc.