Also, is there a quick way to determine if a wall is load bearing or could be removed for an open concept? 

Read all you can on it.Study this concept....It may be an hour or two of reading on BP (the best CapEx site online in my view) but worth the time...Best of luck.

Decima is now signed on....He was fixxin houses when I was in diapers and his Investing in Fixxer Uppers was a book I pulled from a bookstore shelf back in 2003-2004 and it got me interested in real estate...Very excited to welcome him here...enjoying his new The Real Estate Fisherman a lot, a neat strategy book aimed at a "colony concept" and I will be doing a full review when I wrap up on my blog...Welcome aboard Jay...

I highly suggest a journal and a whiteboard to keep your ideas fresh and your gears cranking. 

I would love recommendations for banks or brokers in the Charlotte market who understand the BRRRR concept, can analyze a balance sheet, and would welcome the opportunity to work with an investor with great credit/reserves looking to build a long term relationship.

After those preparation, your RE journal will start.This is license way only.Good luck.

I really like the template concept.

This concept seems awesome though.

But in doesn't change the concept that you still need to go through "schooling".  

I sort of discovered the concept of getting this equipment used yesterday, and started looking for used dealers.