Starting Out in Real Estate Investing

Hello,

I am highly interested in begin a career in Real Estate Investing. I am wanting to do Buy & Hold Real Estate Investing with Single-Family Homes, and Duplexes. I am currently serving in the Army, and stationed in Germany. However, I am interested in beginning my investing in Bell County, Texas. I have lived in Killeen, Texas for two years prior to joining the military. Also, after enlisting into the military, I was stationed at Ft. Hood for approx. 2 1/2 years before PCS'ing to Germany. So, I am highly familiar with the Ft Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights area. My tour in Germany will be ending next year, and I hope to return back to the states.

I have been researching, studying, and reading multiply articles on BiggerPockets. They are quite helpful. However, I am needing more assistance. I am currently stuck on creating my Real Estate Investing Business Plan, and Assembling My Team. I have read BiggerPockets "Ultimate Beginners Guide" E-book. So far I have created a rough draft mission statement; I have set my goals and time frame; I have established my criteria; etc.

Far as assembling my team, I have a mentor that I can talk to as well as reading the Forums on BiggerPockets. I also have the property manager I want to work with in mind. Im stumped on selecting a loan officer; real estate attorney; escrow officer/title rep; accountant; contractor; handyman; and realtor.

All recommendations, what-not-to-do and what-to-do advice, and comments are welcomed.

Thank you in advance.