While real estate investing is the main goal and line of work I want to be in.

Is there a way I can do this on my own, for mainly just basic research in the beginning to be able to cross out the ones that are not financially wise at the time?

You're main deflationary risk with rentals is always population decline in the city or nieghborhood where you have rentals though.  3.  

Main expenses would include closing costs (loan origination and fees, and title fees).  

My interest in Rochester is mainly due to the potential cash flow.

I am semi retired and looking for cash flow mainly.

I look to investment in mainly buy-and-hold muti-family properties but, in the beginning I may have to invest in single family properties.

To be realistic you will have to have some sort of money as a wholesaler mainly because you will be paying  earnest how much?

The first step I would do is thinking about my criteria, like the area and the characteristics of the properties and type of tenants you are looking for.We started with flip and now our main focus is buy and hold, when we started we found other experienced folks and now we keep sharing and mentoring investors. 

I'm looking to perform a 1031 exchange for a single family home that I've owned for 3 years for a duplex and I've come across some bumps, mainly financing bumps.