Would love to connect with people who can give me advice on what to look for or where to study for starting out.

Congratulationswhat you’ve found that both the INVESTMENT side of real estate, and theBUSINESS side are very competitive; therefore profit margins are compressed, so those “home runs” people like to bragg about are actually quite rare.  

I am that guy in the comments that calls these people out.

We do get people coming through for ETSU and Milligan graduations, temporary stays for the VA, and some tourism in the summer and fall but you're not going to stay heavily booked. 

This will show you that people have options to go out and pick another house over your place. 

Quote from @Brendan Doherty': I’ve read in books of people getting past having to live in the property they own so they can rent all units year one of ownership(living on the property with an rv).

I have warned countless people that the "new", "Cheapest", and "shaking up the insurance market" carriers typically come into the market under priced, have a wave of claims, then they either jack up premiums to survive or fire their staff to keep heads above water.

I can see how an application fee per person can be a deterrent for applicants in my case whether for more upscale rentals people may see it as more normal.I am starting off as a non-refundable fee and measure the resistance, then adjust if needed.

All lies and manipulation of people who do not see through him.

Quote from @Theodore Sutton: Check out the site meetup.com and also the events page on BP for meetings up in your area to meet people like this and build relationships.