I've began investing in myself by purchasing numerous books pertaining to this. 

To do the same thing in SketchUp you draw an object, pull a face out to make it 3D, then cut a hole, then if you want mullions it's more work or you can select something from the 3D library.

Having access to the MLS alone with solve numerous issues you'll run into...

I think one of the hardest things getting started for me was avoiding "shiny object syndrome".

Perhaps a business line of creditloan might serve your objective

The fact you have a rental locally as well doesnt help and or distorts the case as a second home or primary so I can see why this would be declined.At the end of the day this file was probably structured poorly or perhaps the loan officer did not understand your objectives and put it together, turned it in, and prayed for the best.

We want to be objective and fair 

I have done a lot more research and read numerous books on the topic of buy and hold real estate investing and I am looking forward to learning a lot more from people on this site and further my education any way I can and I am excited to starting a business in real estate investing.

It's very easy to get distracted by "shiny objects" and never pull the trigger on anything.I'd suggest buying a home in an "okay" area for around $20k and rehabbing it to make rent ready.  

Some landlords try to keep some of it, or even all, of the deposit the key if you go to court is what you agreed to, or what seems to be to an objective reasonable person.