Be careful when doing business with family unless you are paying full retail value for their work.

Any resources or recommendations for someone new to the industry?

Remember though your not paying retail price... buying all five at one price should be more of a wholesale price.Left the maintenance person with free rent out of the calculations... that is for you to decide after you buy the park. 

While job shadowing is a bit unique, we’ve done it before for those seriously interested in the industry.

It's true you'll likely make very little money on those deals but your benefit will be expediting the pace at which you learn this industry.  

It's certainly nice to have the input from individuals from within the industry.   

I think the goal in your early years is to learn as much as you can about the industry (inside an out) and increase your income so you can have the reserves, and closing funds needed to buy rentals or potential flips. 

Each is about 1/2 a social group, and the other half, learning and sharing from others in the industry.  

Interest in the real estate industry is definitely down right now.

This ENTIRE industry is filled with promises and people who have "secrets/proprietary" stuff that gives them and edge.