Managing your own property and finding tenants is a great way to gain hands-on experience.

There are a lot of websites that offer the course online, or if you have a college near you, they also typically offer a class that satisfies the pre-licensing requirement.

So, by the end of 5 years, your net gain will be around $33k ($93k cash pulled out minus the negative cash flow).Looking ahead:Future Cash Flow: After 5 years, assuming a 3% annual rent increase, your rent will rise to $6,955.

If the buyer is losing money on his investment, and walks away without gain, then by definition there is no “equity skimming”.  

Like you, I’m diving into books and podcasts, but I also believe there’s immense value in learning alongside others and gaining hands-on experience.I’m in the process of connecting with like-minded individuals to create a community of new investors who are eager to learn, share knowledge, and even collaborate on deals.

These properties typically turn over once a year as they are mostly student rentals. 

We typically do 4-5 years interest only while paying down the principle balances over time.

While short-term rentals in areas like Kissimmee, Florida, can pay for themselves and offer lifestyle benefits, the ROI typically doesn’t match what I see from my traditional portfolio of long-term rentals in North Texas.That said, short-term rentals can still be a great choice, especially if you're drawn to the area and the opportunity to combine personal use with investment income.

I researched commercial construction careers, and found a construction degree is typically required.

I typically focus on off-market deals, so I didn’t work with an agent to find this property.