I fund land flippers in all these states and at your age I would be hunting down a parcel now U want to eventually move to...

I bought a 16 unit apartment complex that was a expense nightmare, with low rents, that I eventually gave up trying to make profitable. 

This may result in late fees and eventual eviction if not cured within the legally provided time. 

I was building a new laundromat in the best retail area of our town when our job site got its tools and copper robbed for the second time.

I am not sure what my next move is (stay with the DST and lose $ or move to the REIT and eventually have to pay cap gains tax if performance isn't good). 

My goal is to continue to acquire more cash flowing rentals to eventually leave my day job and just self manage the rental properties. 

My hope is I can gain their trust as a property manager and eventually be the one they turn to to sell later on or refer for business in the future.

You'll learn what contractors are good at such repairs, and eventually people will start bringing you "problem properties" with that issue.Another related idea: contact a good local realtor and ask them if they know of any on or off market properties that would be a hard sell for most buyers. 

My second house was under contract before it was even listed, but the combination of my GC disappearing and having to restart the permitting process for the carport in March right at the start of Corona lock downs dragged that out and eventually feel out of contract.

I'm an Air Force vet and reservist that got my start investing in real estate part time and eventually swapped to full time!