I've recently become licensed and now I'm at the fun stage of picking a broker to work for.

Saying that about Dodge takes a lot - they've come a ways since the casino was put in.Anyways I went on a tangent - but do your homework and check out the short term rental market - maybe buy a duplex and use the other half as a short term rental or a small apt complex if you can afford it near the university. 

ok so - i'm a newbie and i only have one other post.here's a hypothetical - it may or may not match my situation... i just wanted to start a fun topic and get some ideas generated.say you have 100k cash in your pocket - right now.what is the first thing you would do if you wanted to invest in rental property(ies)?

Some can be ball-busters and others fun. 

It is a lot of work, but one of the amazing things about it is that you can have fun with it.

No, it won't scale, and it's no fun to deposit, but the firm, full, heavy feel of the envelope in my hand...oh yeah, it just does something for me...

Make it look fun. 

It was difficult structuring our lives around the cleaning schedule that we needed to accommodate to make that venture a success, but it was fun getting to know travelers and help them discover new and interesting things to do while on vacation.

Fun!

Just do what you have a interest as time goes by you will maybe become more adventurous..have fun