The goal is to use real estate as a vehicle to achieve financial independence! 

Since I'm new to all of this though and have a lot to learn I'm hungry for knowledge and I'd love to meet other people in the Long Beach/LA area who have done this successfully so that I can learn from them.Does anyone have recommendations for real estate investor groups/meet ups in or near Long Beach, CA?

I have been successful in moving up the corporate ladder but my income seems to be topping out at a more rapid pace than my promotions. 

With the help of a PM, I would scope out "$x of work needs to be done to unit 1 and then it is capable of achieving $x rent".

I see myself hopefully taking that same path.As a broad question, is there any advice anyone could provide for setting myself up for success? 

Which small local bank have you had the most success when it comes to REI in the Quad Cities?

The definition of success is worrying about everything else except money.

Even though the application of a cap rate on future income is improper, if you are determined to apply the 3% spread rule, you might find a lot of success if you apply that rule to capitalized income upon stabilization. 

Pick their brains, their successes and their failures3) Take Action: Save capital, evaluate deals.

I currently have some equity in my house and would consider a heloc along with my cash to start off with some brrrr which sounds perfect for MN ;) Has anyone had success with the heloc strategy?