Do not let a realtor try to convince you that it will be difficult as it is relatively simple, especially if you are buying or selling off market for cash.I downloaded all of the required contracts and disclosures for the state of Nebraska from an online source.

As soon as he told me he was leaving I signed up for an online Real Estate class that day and started taking the class every night when I got home.

Are majority of investors using spreadsheets, online software, or old school paper and pen?

As I understand (by reading articles online), Texas has strict laws in place that are not investor friendly around these.

I will always have a max number plus 500 .. many times everyone is backing into basically the same number and u can win the property by just spending a few hundred more. your not going to turn the deal down over a few hundred right.if its on line auction winning the bid just means your now in contract to buy.. and its a normal escrow after that.you will never work with the bank you work with the auction company.

Are there any online maps of neighborhoods tagged with these unofficial ratings?  

Be sure to have agents send you off-market investment property opportunities as well, you can find some real diamonds in the rough leveraging agents who run across deals before they come online. 

There’s a wealth of knowledge included in each, but here’s a quick breakdown to make things easier:The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor by @Amanda Han: Creative ways to maximize tax deductions for your real estate businessClever ways to write off your kids and every penny of your travelEasy tips and tricks to cut down bookkeeping timeSimple ways to protect yourself from an IRS auditFREE bonus video: "The Big Changes in the 2018 Tax Code"FREE bonus chapter: "Keeping Up with the Latest in Tax Changes"… And more!

I been listening to Bigger Pockets Podcast, watching their youtube videos, and reading up on the Ultimate Guide to Real Estate for Beginner book... anything else I should do? 

Like with the insurance I was hoping there would be an accurate online resource for comps without having to ask someone else for the info.