Realize at the outset that real estate will involve all different types to service, maintain, repair, improve, insure, manage and eventually sell.  

If you put in the input to search for properties and make offers, you will eventually secure a deal whether that's in 1 week, 1 month or 5 months.

If you contact zillow through a bunch of ways (they also have social media outlets where you can comment, and that's what we did, in addition to all the other methods of contacting them) my understanding is they eventually do get back to you and are reasonable in resolving matters. 

If it is a non-Roth, everything eventually comes out at ordinary income rates, including appreciation which would otherwise be treated under capital gain rules.

Eventually we would like to fix up the short term rental in the Smokies as well, thinking that we could do this for approx. $5000.

Get basic formal education first from such name, and get upgraded eventually.... question like "what sponsor has to be avoided ?"

Small, easy to get around, beach bars, and affordable condos are still accessible (though I worry for how long and if it will end up over developed eventually).

I’m a huge fan of the multi-family model of investing and would like to eventually build up to owning apartment complexes.

Eventually, I left my SF rentals in my name and beefed-up insurance, including an umbrella. 

And that doesn't include other expenses.So the traditional SFH route may work eventually including appreciation and other factors, but probably not in 10 years because you need to refi and purchase other houses to make this angle work.Buying a 2/1 somewhere and living on one side is another option, as is renting both sides, but you'd have to identify an area where you can afford a duplex.