As Jason said - there are a few good REIA groups here in the area that would help you grow your network and learn about the local market - so when you are ready to pull the trigger you have a better idea of the market and maybe even some investment partners to help you get there quicker.   

My ultimate goal is to purchase and develop land in the ever receding outer exurbs in my region.Here is a little about my world of late: Home Automation and Security technology is developing at breakneck speeds these days and staying on the cutting edge is a full time job, especially when it comes to understanding the vulnerabilities associated with these new technologies (think "Hackers"...they really, really, really do wreak havoc..no joke).

Additionally, I'm a part of a fast growing power team that is seeking to partner with reputable contractors interested in joining our team.

The combo of being both the originator and the decision maker and the need to grow from for their investors certainly will be a hard thing to manage and even if it works out ok here I would be surprised if someone doesn't mismanage it somewhere.

No books can ever teach you what a little hands on experience will.  

I found BP on a link from another website and have been a fan ever since. 

If you ever want to grab lunch or coffee and talk real estate, I'd love to connect. 

I want to have a semi-passive source of income, which I hope to grow and be able to retire early (for me that would be when I hit 40k per year in cash flow). 

We are now preparing to strategically grow our brokerage business, and we would like to approach the process with a "blank slate" in order to not bring in a "traditional brokerage" mentality.  

Anyone ever heard of "Allied Real Estate Schools"?