Taking action for you right now, because it doesn't seem like you know much, is going to real estate investor meetups, reading books, listening to podcasts, and asking a lot of questions while building relationships with other investors.A VA house hack is overall a better option, but comes with more overhead.

yup - you are likely going to need to go to a bank / relationship based for investments like this

A skilled property manager can ensure a positive tenant experience by responding promptly to maintenance requests, addressing concerns, and fostering good relationships.

They took the information and disappeared or claimed they did not use it.What is your advice for establishing a trusting wholesale working relationship?

I’ve tried searching for people who have been neighbors to their tenant but haven’t seen anything yet.If you have experience in this I’d love to hear how you handled the relationship of tenant/neighbor. 

*This post does not create a CPA-client relationship.

**Hoard Cash and Build Relationships:** With substantial equity in properties, consider cashing out now.

My strategy will be off market owner calling for meetings, and building relationships with as many owners in my market as I can. 

Here are a few thoughts I have:Market Research: I’m willing to dedicate time to researching potential properties and analyzing market trends to help identify lucrative deals.Networking: I aim to build relationships within the local real estate community, which could open doors to new opportunities for us all.Project Management: My military experience has equipped me with strong organizational and logistical skills that could help streamline processes and improve communication.I would love to hear from seasoned investors about their thoughts on partnering with someone who may not have a financial contribution upfront.

I have a good relationship with them so would like to keep going there.