While it's been an okay experience, I haven't felt like I'm gaining the knowledge I hoped for; if anything, it feels like I'm moving further away from it.

You are INVESTING here, that means YOU are the one taking the risks of loss because YOU are the one with something to gain by the investment performing.

When you add books + podcast, your time in the forums here learning, AND in-person networking and relationship-building with real-life real estate investors, you will gain more confidence in the reality and soon be in the starting lineup.

In Florida, I've drafted lease provisions where the landlord has access to certain portions of the premises during the tenancy, but never for actual occupancy.

Do you want tenants to have access to a portal where they can make rent payments, submit maintenance requests, and view lease terms?

The forced gain or appreciation and straightline 1250 depreciation are usually more than enough to motivate someone to contemplate a 1031. 

@Ashley AndersonTypically a HELOC and HEL are second mortgages and they can be a good way to access capital to invest, but the problem with using them is the interest rate is typically even higher than the debt you can get on the new purchase, so they might not be a great idea unless you plan to aggressively pay them down when you use them. 

I’m excited to gain hands-on experience and contribute in any way I can.

So if you are self managing your property and it’s under an LLC and you lock the doors and do not give them access - guess what - the tenant does not sue the LLC fairy - they sue the LLC and the person who committed the act.

I wouldn't worry too much yet but if after a couple more days of no activity, I would bring the price down a bit to be closer to the top end of the market and see if there are recent comparables that have been rented (especially if you have access to the MLS)