From there, I would love to begin the journey of diversifying my business portfolio by adding rental properties as another arm of my daily life and long term wealth plan. 

@Lucas Machado: he has deals flying into my inbox pretty much daily and he also offer hard money lendingI would also look at a webinar I remember from Brandon Turner, a VP here at Bigger Pockets.https://www.biggerpockets.com/webinarIt's not the one happening this week, but it will likely come back around.It was called 12 Steps to Getting a Bank to Say Yes.Although I think I counted more than 12 or I lost count.

I'm new to this place but read the forums and listen to the podcast daily.

Often times, because they are dealing with real estate on a daily basis, their network of professionals are top notch (though not always).

-Surround yourself with other investors so real estate becomes a daily habit and lifestyle.Of course you can comment on the above, but if you can also reply to this question: If you were to start at my age with the knowledge you know now, what would you do differently?

The best part is he can do EVERYTHING so I just pay him a daily rate for general labor and I don't have to worry about stuff like the window guy nickle and diming me about how the blinds are in the way and he doesn't touch blinds unless you pay him more (true story).3/26-27: I have my contractor take Easter weekend off.

not sure about the laws in pinellas but i know in hillsborough i see new bandit signs daily, they all blend in with each other almost

@Shannon Sadik check The Daily RecordThis will give you all the info you need.

People use them on a daily basis.

Daily, weekend rentals.