Not sure if it was mentioned here already, but another creative alternative is to purchase a SFH that has a casita. 

Until you have to do a major repair like a roof.  

You'd be surprised how much damage they could do.

You can also consider converting yourself.

We have wanted to flip homes, rentals, and or do spec homes.

I’m GUESSING it’s a toilet or underground leak, call it 90%. 

I think it would be the right direction since we already decided to buy using a VA loan and live in SC. 

I am currently searching for a job in property management because I feel it will give me solid experience and knowledge to tackle my own properties one day (and I am in need of a career change).

@Denis Orlov I don't do STR, but I've rented one of my personal properties for arbitrage before. 

I think they meet in person, but not sure it may be on zoom - they are not members of MAREI, so I don't have all the info - they do post their meeting on Meetup.And there are a lot of virtual meetings, plus MAREI events on our calendar.