And a good property manager will take care of day to day, but you will still have work to do.

I reached out to the individual marketing the deal to schedule a property viewing, but they’re asking for proof of funds (which I expected) and a signed purchase agreement or LOI.Is this normal?

If I find out where they live next, I'll send them my contractor's bill and a small claims court paperwork.

After a couple years and a couple different programs I can confidently say skip them all except Vena Jones Cox's the Guru Manifesto. 

A single-family home or small multi-unit property can be a great way to dip your toes in the water.Build a Team: Even if you’re planning to handle most things yourself, having a good real estate agent, property manager (if needed), and a reliable handyman can make life so much easier.Learn the Local Laws: Pensacola is pretty investor-friendly, but it’s always good to know local zoning laws and short-term rental regulations if you’re thinking about Airbnb or VRBO.Run the Numbers: Make sure you’re clear on the property’s cash flow potential.

They all have yards and a driveway , its not like living in an apartment .   

Start with durable, high-quality basics: plush towels, soft linens, and a fully stocked kitchen with sharp knives, pans, and essentials like oil and spices.

But day trading is a job at best and a nightmare at worst. 

Seems like an uphill battle and as Jay pointed out it would be a long, expensive process that tends to favor the seller (judges don't take forcing people to sell their property lightly).

From a risk point of view, there is no real middle class and a very small upper class.