I don't think it is a bad idea to find work in real estate somehow as it will allow you to be comfortable with being around it in general, such as a property management company.

For insurance in South Florida, I’ve heard good things about companies like Citizens and some specialized providers that focus on high-risk areas.

I see a lot of 1 star reviews in your futureYou don't need a plumber, just get the PM company to send a maintenance guy.

I’m returning to the U.S. after spending a few years overseas, and I’m eager to start my journey in real estate investing.Once I’m back, I have a job lined up with a wholesaling company where I’ll be focusing on buying houses.

There's plenty of companies who design and install for contractors for reasonable prices.

See the chart from Fair Isaac Company (FICO) below: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyAccording to this chart, investors should use corresponding vacancy+tenant-nonperformance factors of approximately 5% for Class A rentals, 10% for Class B and 20% for Class C.To address Class C payment challenges, many industry "experts" are now selling programs to newbie investors about how Section 8 tenants are the cure.

Generally speaking solid insurance and a good umbrella policy will provide ample financial protection for most liabilities.

I think broader consumer taste is killing malls, which includes online shopping, but also even where people are choosing to live and how they are spending their time/money, more broadly.I worked for a company that bought a failing mall back in 2012 (online shopping was "killing retail" then too), redeveloped most of it into more open air power center and sold.  

Also consider contacting houses that look vacant, simply door knocking in a neighborhood that you are interested in and talking to the homeowners in a genuine way, For Sale By Owners is another potential, using an App like Nextdoor or Facebook pages/groups related to local real estate and just telling the group what you are looking for, contractors also know about houses coming on the market soon and so do property management companies, and finally garage sales are a good way to find off-market properties as people prepare to sell.To Your Success!

And the insurance companies got screwed.