I know that it is generally good advice and I would learn a lot by doing it, but I am firm with my desire to be a passive investor with respect to managing tenants.

If you're earning, they might show they care a little, but they're more focused on the next batch of agents to recruit.Mom & pop experience: the broker barely answered my calls but when she did, I had already found the answer myself OR she was able to share something I couldn't find on my own - experience.This helped me become very resourceful as it forced me to figure things out in case she couldn't get back to me in a timely manner.Big box experience: I went to KW and found the best 'community' feel/vibe you could ask for in the business.

Properties here may require a higher initial investment but tend to hold and grow their value due to location and community desirability.

You will earn a fee, learn save then go on your own 

He once told me that he didn't understand where my desire to work with my hands and become mechanically inclined came from.

And what do they actually do to earn that stake?

I tried looking into it from the forums, but the financial advisors I found start off at 10K-- we are not earning that much that it be better if we use the 10K to pay some of the principal of our mortgage.

(There is a price difference but suppliers have bridged that gap quite a bit due to popularity in the last ten years)Bathroom: Basic white subway tile to the ceiling for bathtubs/showers if surround is not desired.

A home that is selling for $100k after we just saw the biggest run up in real estate values in my adult lifetime means that it's probably not a very desirable place to live for people that have options.

This does not mean you can leave the unit vacant for 6 months (not that I'm accusing you of wanting that) but it also does not mean you can be forced to accept a less desirable tenant nor can you be forced to lower your rent.