I just read a book that was about buying and selling apartment buildings. 

Ive been reading all the lessons  the new and accomplished investors have experienced.

After reading a few books and learning more about real estate I would define your investing goals (flipping, wholesaling, multifamily, etc...).

Read the Bank Addendum ..

However, the posts I read that are the most encouraging are the ones where someone has success with a property and it motivates others. 

Hey Barron Alec Kartchner Definitely start by reading.

I'll wait until I have more experience in RE before I'll wholeheartedly agree with you, but I would feel like I had more control in RE already and I've read into both.

I've been trying to look for a deal in Arlington for a little while now and keep coming up with low or negative cash flow, possibly due to overestimating expenses, but everything I'm reading seems to indicate that Arlington may not be the best place to look.

Maybe read the BP book on long distance real estate investing.

I have been reading so much information on how to become a landlord for my properties and how to run them as a successful business.