This gave me time to get the house super clean and rekeyed before handing over the key to the new tenant. 

I've paid for a handful of programs over the years from cheap to expensive and narrow-focused to broad-based. 

Presumably, if you retire before you take Social Security, you will have a handful of low income years when you could then do Partial Roth conversions and convert those assets you presumably saved at a 22% or higher tax rate, and convert them in a lower income situation (12% or less). 

Great way to learn hands-on while minimizing personal financial risk.Would you be interested in connecting with local real estate investor groups in Illinois?

I also love it because I do not have to do the hands on tasks any more.

hands down!!

If you are ultimately looking for a mostly hands off solution you have options there as well with single family turnkey.

Start small with strategies like house hacking, leveraging your hands-on skills for value-add properties, and building a strong team or network to reduce risks.

I got about 20ish page of hand written notes from the 3 day event.

I will be here for 6 months to a year and looking to continue hands on support/experience.I am a construction manager and have a lot of background in contractor management, site scheduling, and quality control.