@Stephanie SelbyRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

That is part of the problem with a lot of companies (I am not knocking insula as dont have all the info/facts just stating how the business works), they engage brokers to get them loans and the brokers collect a small fee. unfortunately many of the brokers may be similar to real estate wholesalers - have little to no experience. 

House hacking is a solid way to get started in real estate investing. 

Local Real Estate Investor Associations (REIA's) also are a great place to network and find a mentor or someone to walk you through getting started.

LOL.. why would anyone pay these people to show them deals.. pretty lame really once you understand how real estate works.

If you pay more, you won't meet your metrics and will probably have negative cashflow and/or equity.You may have to make 10, 20 or even 100 offers to get one accepted at the price that meets your numbers.This is what all investors did BEFORE the Great Real Estate Crash of 2008-2010.

When a 21-year-old claims to make $600,000 in his first year of real estate, someone should verify that before sticking a mic in his face and praising his successes.Being on the podcast used to be a big deal.

If you haven’t already, take a look at the 18.6-year real estate cycle and where we currently stand.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

You both have W2 jobs - so you're likely not a Real Estate Professionals - so these losses will be passed on until they can be deducted from other passive income in the future.