I don't do this for a living and have no real world experience, but at 40% down, even with a 7% int rate, that seems like a high monthly payment.

At this stage, the main thing we need is for me to get back into the workforce and get some money coming in, in order to achieve that dream.With that in mind, my immediate goal is to gain employment in the field of property management, as opposed to wasting my time working in another field that is not associated with real estate.

The real issue you should address up front is what does the seller want?

All the best to you in your real estate journey, and congrats again! 

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

She also mentioned that they’ve been in real estate since 2006 and have managed over 30 properties (though this is more of a side business for them), which suggests a mom-and-pop operation.

Quote from @Tyler Magee: Hello everyone, I’m looking to get into real estate investing.

Majority of clients I work with today need proximity to NYC and are looking to fast track their real estate investing Journey. 

Quote from @Hector Romero: Hello all, I am new to the community as well as being the lead in real estate investments.My sister and I currently hold 3 properties next to each other in Riverside County, California (we'd like to get them in an LLC but we're unsure how that may affect financing them).

The entire goal is to help you / individuals like you who are interested in a finding an agent who works with real estate investors.