I'd also recommend "Long Distance Real Estate Investing" by @David Greene, "The Book on Managing Rental Properties" by @Brandon Turner, "Set for Life"  by @Scott Trench and "Crushing It" by Brian Murray

Right now, I'm looking to build experience and relationships, get more comfortable with the industry, and essentially set myself up as best I can for purchase #2 a year or two down the line.I'm eager to get your feedback.

The difference in structure creates a  different set of issues and opportunities for each of the three.  

In one case I had the closing date set at 2 months and a day.

However, if the system is set up, the service member may have a payment directly transferred to a designated recipient. 

You have to have it set up ahead of time at closing so that all of the proceeds sit in the bank account of a qualified intermediary until you close on the new purchase.

Does anyone know a reputable title attorney who does simultaneous closings and can set up a mortgage note to sell the payments at closing? 

Partnering is hard to do because it is usually cheaper to just pay for the needed services, however having both licences and being good at both is a valuable skill set.

You’ll want to contact a tax advisor and a firm and bank who is experienced in setting this up.

She set me up on the MLS and I received my first email that night with a property that met my (i.e. my friends) investment criteria.