Once you figure out where you want to settle, I would suggest you house hack and purchase a 2-4 unit where you live in one unit and rent the others.

Anyone have suggestions for a real estate door hanger template?

I don't want to manage a separate system for one tenant.Does anyone have any suggestions of what works for them? 

I also suggest selecting one area of real estate investing that picks your interest the most at this time and learning as much as possible about it before investing.

On the other hand, most of what I've been hearing on the Bigger Pockets podcast and a lot of what I've read in books seems to suggest that adding value to a property through buying a distressed property and making it nicer is the best way to get a good return on investment.

Thanks for the suggestion, it's much appreciated.  

I just did 5% on a primary, and going to do 20% on the next, like others suggested.

In terms of networking with the locals, in addition to posting here on BP, I suggest you go on Meetup website and search for the keyword of interest to you.

Has anyone found any banks that offer these or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Steve Babiak, as you suggested, where should we go to create lease aggrement which is landlord friendly?