I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to get started, particularly:Should my next step be finding a local mentor and how I could best do this?

If you find it to difficult at that point, then investigate getting additional training

I'd also really appreciate any thoughts on choosing a big national bank vs. a smaller organization, as well as advice on how to filter through banking options to find a good fit. 

I find this to be an under-utilized strategy. 

Or should I try to find a deal now and start the loan process?

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

A lot of people choose the more suburban / less dense areas in Ewing or Hamilton when they can find a place that works for them.

The only problem is finding a way to make that transition, while paying the bills.

How to find an investor who'd offer me a deal in Tijuana?

Link isn't working, but I was able to find it here: I was just sharing notes with someone else on these forums about things I look for with syndications, and while there is a lot to look at, the first one is: is this an asset class and business plan you want to invest in.