And there are some investors who go for those lesser quality areas, because they have experience in those types of properties and know they can buy there inexpensively. 

We would need photos of each proposed animal, as well.

Right now, I am not as interested in investing as I am in helping another investor in order to get some hands-on experience while my wife and I save a little bit more money.

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.

After talking with my mentor (He's a realtor with 20+ years experience) he suggested purchasing a rental property first.

Quote from @Matthew Brown: I'm looking to find others invested in the Fairway America Vivo Rancho Cordova syndication deal to discuss their experience with this investment and Fairway America, overall. 

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

What's your experience level at this time? 

From my experience working with over 400 investors, consider alternative strategies like rent-by-the-room, buying an SFH with an ADU, or renting where you live while investing elsewhere.

From my experience working with over 400 investors, starting early gives you a huge advantage in building long-term wealth.