Immerse yourself in real estate from a CPA standpoint and figure out what you can offer in return for shadowing. 

Given the flexibility you have with working remotely that will help as well because you spend a week immersing yourself in the areas you are thinking about investing.

I am an investor myself, so I have immersed myself into learning and knowing the terminology, how to run rents, comps and ARVs (it is different from a regular homeowner). 

Also might help immerse you better into the real estate world and teach you invaluable skills that will help save money in the long run, if you choose something like contracting, electrician etc.Not speaking from experience but if I were to do it over again, I would go this route.

If you've never been immersed in this environment much before there are a lot of things you will learn and hear about money and finance that just go against what you've likely been taught before.Outside of networking locally I would also suggest that you learn to LOVE READING.

Surround yourself with like minded people to immerse yourself and you'll do great. 

"Terms" investing was not foreign to me however I wanted to immerse myself into terms investing and Chris seemed like an honest guy so I took a chance. 

My pleasure mate,You can learn the market by immersing yourself in it and by networking/connecting with locals that live and breath it.Nothing worth it is ever easy.Keep the dream alive mate

I'd immerse yourself with multifamily books as well as start studying successful multifamily investors and their companies. 

I've been lurking on Bigger Pockets and trying to soak up all I can and will be starting to post more and immerse myself in the community rather soon.