I remember being exactly in your shoes and I wish when I started there was a mentor or 2 let alone an entire real estate investing community to help guide me, save me time and reduce the probability of making mistakes.   

But, after that, know when it's time to harvest and use some of that wealth, and know what kind of investor you are and portfolio you need to actually achieve the lifestyle you set out to create in the first place - one likely where working is optional and you feel you have earmarked dollars being generated and usable from your portfolio to spend on your lifestyle.. need to stop and smell the roses along the way, not a month goes by that my wife and I have someone we went to high school with or other close friend pass away.

With this in mind, i'm curious what your thoughts would be for someone in my shoes on how they should go about getting involved in Real Estate Investing? 

The way you are asking the question is like asking "Whats a good shoe size?"

@Rousner Ermonfils I'd be hesitant to be honest if I was in your shoes.

Even during the worst downturn in 2008, while home prices plummeted , rents stayed about the same and eventually rose so I was able to hold onto that property without issues. 

I would say anything on the west side of I15 in Salt Lake County but avoid Rose Park which is the area around the state fair grounds.

@Jay TruongA person who receives an asset as a gift generally "steps into the shoes" of the one who gave the gift (i.e. the tax basis of the asset transfers).When a capital asset is sold, you are taxed on the net gain, that is: gross proceeds less tax basis.A person's goals are just as important as tax ramifications when considering a certain path. 

One thing I have learned is if anyone tells you they bought their first one and it worked out perfect from the get go and everything has been roses since then I would probably run because odds are they are yanking your chain.

@Cole BlackSome golf courses groom trails for XC Skiing and snow-shoeing in the winter - or they allow local ski clubs to groom trails on designated parts of the course.