@Shasky Charles Welcome and glad you're taking the real estate path to buidling financial freedomSome critical books I'd say are as follows:1. 

For instance, what if the tenants see a big issue that you cannot immediately service and elect to pay rent over to the court causing you to experience financial strain or even default on your debt obligation?

It depends on your financial circumstances.

Whatever you offer is cash in his pocket vs losing it to an inevitable tax lien sale = no cash & eventually no where to live.Most of these 'people' are oblivious to any knowledge of financial security so I'd find out what he would take to just walk away flush with cash.

I would just caution about putting up to much Due Diligence money up front.. and be realistic about your financial capacity.

When a landlord makes a decision to buy new they entirely change the financial obligations of the tenant.

I recently got hired at a stereotypical office job that very quickly made me realize how much I crave financial independence.

A lot of properties would be still occupied by previous owners and/or tenants and you won’t be able to go in even after you get your deed recorded (about 6-8 weeks after you make full payment).

I guess I’m mainly wondering if fix and flips will get me to financial freedom faster than rentals?

The same money spent on MFR out of state at the time would have netted me a much greater financial benefit.