IMO, only worth it if you have access to enough capital to scale your efforts, though.Can't be compared.To do well in the lending game, in addition to controlling your risk and what others have mentioned, you need... 

North Jersey is very town by town so tough to say more without additional details. 

It seems like each town has its own regulations and limitations.

I really want to jump on something within the next year or two because I know the longer I wait the less my portfolio can grow and the longer it will take to reach that financial freedom and being able to take control of my time to be able to do the things I really want to do. 

I also help out of town LLs with consulting services to stay on top of their properties here. 

Doesn't seem like the FED has much control this time around considering the 10Y T bill (and 5Y) continues to march higher even with the FED fund rate dropping.

I have a group chat with my tenants that time stamps all communications, and have handymen, plumbers, HVAC techs, etc. in town that communicate well. 

I can't control that. 

You control the situations and learn.  

Giving someone control over who gets into my property while maintaining responsibility of kicking people out seems a bit risky.