If Im understanding correctly, youre buying the home from your mom who will take a first position lien on the property in exchange for carrying the $100k of the purchase price on a private note.

Every system you try will have flaws, or you may salivate over a feature that appears in other software.Some familiar names are mentioned frequently: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.I recommend conducting thorough research on each app online to understand their offerings, pricing, etc.

I'm seeking to be in an environment with like minded individuals to learn and network to grow my portfolio and eventually network to collaborate on larger deals once I have a better understanding of the commercial side. 

I understand this is not a requirement, but I have never received a damaged unit from an inherited tenant or any legal issues.

Of course, I totally understand that you wouldn't want to do if that guide is written by another real estate agency, in which case you have option 2.b.

While this is a great and highly motivating goal, most people are either clueless or incorrect in their belief as to what is required to obtain this “lifestyle”.Understanding of the “how to” get there is further obscured by the misleading, and often patently false “pathways” sold by real estate educational MARKETING companies as workshops, upsold to association memberships, upsold to mentorships.

I understand that it's unrealistic to expect anyone to treat your property with the same level of care you would, but the company we hired has been a NIGHTMARE. 

It took me a while but I do finally understand why that makes sense.

Those of us who have build investment assets, businesses, professional practices, etc. understand how much time, effort, planning and capital it takes to “scale”.  

Being a part of the local REIAs in both towns can help you understand more of what is going on.