I started my real estate career in 2014 working in marketing at PPR Note Co. with Dave Van Horn.

Or what are other tips to start gaining traction from the beginning? 

I think your starting point is off - way off. 

Just start with taking the content in and then team up with someone actively doing these deals.

This would reduce my monthly expense to $3,568, saving $144/month.Questions for the Community:Which of these options do you think makes the most sense for a long-term rental in NYC?

Each room will have a separate lease on it with a separate deposit following normal property management practices, and like you said, the leases have different start dates. 

You've signed up for one PIA if the owner is still in the house.One way to tippie toe into this is to hook up with short sale agents and start working with them offering to door knock the NOD folks. 

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

It seems like a simple thing, but reaching out in BiggerPockets about getting started as a real estate investor is a great first step.

This is where I started as well, and then about 5 years later I was able to leave my W2.