Some owners would prefer a clearly defined floor even at the cost of not rising to the highest ceiling.While I hate to say it, there are also property owners who lack either the time, knowledge, inclination, or skill to want to manage their property effectively.

Obviously, I need a job and want something in RE so that I'm in the loop & can learn from to apply my skills and experience towards REI. 

You do that with skill, time, and reputation.

I know your cost of living May be higher than mine was (I live in Virginia), but the skills you develop from this will be extremely useful in many ways. 

I was a foster child who put myself through college on my own, and I have relied on some good friends for a place to stay as I grew up, which has motivated me to create a better life for myself.I have done a lot of research on real estate, and from my perspective, it seems as if wholesaling, which I feel my sales skills may help with, would be a good place to start to make some extra money to speed up the investing process.

So you need some tangible experience + very quality deal + communication skills to present to the investors.

I and many others have the skills and finances to do it.

If i was starting from scratch, i'd probably start by developing a job skill, probably in the trades like electrician or plumber.

If you need a complicated surgery, that doctor is going to be expensive because of their skills and abilities to save your life.

I'm in a different area, but I just paid a plumber ~$200 an hour to do some work....clearly I am in the wrong profession, but I know equipment and skills are needed.