So if a non real estate job offers that it is not a necessarily bad choice to pursue it.

I might not be able to get the fine number down but enough that I can figure out if its worth pursuing.

What's the advice you would give to a 17 yr old who wants to pursue Real Estate?

If you pull all the potential equity (~$262k) out, you'll be in the hole every month by almost $250.I'm not seeing why this deal is worth pursuing.

In addition, we are also pursuing Financial Independence through a mix of real estate and investment accounts. 

Why are you pursuing it?

@HAILEY ERSKINE Why not pursue purchase money mortgages...no banks, no credit checks...your energy and cash outlay needs to be focused on marketing, not looking at MLS deals through an agent...or buying retail property...

I'm not sure if I should pursue that avenue, which will give me a high earnings potential and therefore allow me to qualify for more loans in the future, or just take the $40k I have and jump into a real estate career.

The numbers appear to work out so it may well be worth pursuing this deal despite the roadblocks 

That's why the 1% Rule (or really the Monthly Rent / Property Purchase Price rule) comes to mind as a very convenient method to quickly compare multiple deals and decide which to pursue.