These steps are learning, looking at the market, getting your money ready, picking your plan, getting a team, finding a place, checking it out, making an offer, and handling your investment.

If your home is in a solid area and you can hold onto it while having even some cash flow, I would usually pick that option.From the experience I have seen with my dad and holding properties long term and conversations I've have with older investors is that if you hold onto RE, you will usually be happy you did so.Most investors say: I never really regretted buying, but I have regretted selling. 

Do you even have a property picked out?

Then, I'd invite family and friends to come over and pick out anything they'd like. 

I've heard of mentees who started cleaning up construction areas on a flip at the end of each work day or picking up supplies at Home Depot and delivering them to the job site.

Without knowing your numbers (how many leads, dials and contacts you've made), I would just say this is the job. 90-95% of leads won't even pick up the phone.

I just find it super strange that my ad, that had been up for weeks with no issues suddenly gets removed after I turned down the part/time RE agent and program director assistant's hand picked applicant. 

Pick your battles selectively as you do not want them to make your life difficult.  

even in lower cost markets.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1171104-the-m...and - i still think it's better to pick a market that you have a connection to rather than one that meets arbitrary numerical criteria. 

Was looking for anyone else who has had success doing this already and would love to pick there brain about it!