I would not go as far as to say that flipping, rehabbing, etc is not investing, but Tracey makes some very valid points and I agree.Buy and hold is the single most reason of wealth creation and when done correctly. can provide not only the net worth aspect, but a passive income stream for life whereas flipping and the like require an onging effort to retain an income stream.I think it is the very best way to start, although I also agree one should do a few "flips" (which can be a wholesale deal, sell a contract, rehab project, etc.) to gain some capital for buy and hold acquisitions and reserve accounts.

No complications, just a steady income stream.

Get a feel for negotiating.Once you have a steady stream of leads from both groups, things will start to fall into place.

and can you explain the process of how you showed them the rental income (Did you have inherited tenants that you could show an actual rental stream or did you have to show the bank what you would be charging for rent?)

for multiple streams of income.Just another idea. 

Fortunately, my GC calls the next day; he has been in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg (from driving cross-country on vacation).

The buy and hold would slowly setup a steady stream of income, but take longer to achieve. 

If they cannot make it to one of my open houses, We can set up a Facetime, Facebook Live-Stream, Google Hangouts, Google Duo etc during one of my open housesThey fill out my online applicationI look it over to see if there's anything that will automatically disqualify them (evictions, not enough income).

I took pictures of everything (except the blood).

But as the saying goes: “Dig your well before your thirsty.”Stay on it, increase your income streams to leverage and outsource as much as possible at any given time and never give up!