I'm looking at the different property management platforms and wondering if there are any that people LOVE that does all the property management stuff but also does a good job tracking the financials? 

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.  

I am far from a financial advisor (which I hope you have a good one), but there are a lot of benefits to diversification and investing in RE. 

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

In 2008 I was helping homeowners through the great financial crisis and there were lots of people taking advantage of homeowner's by asking for money upfront with foreclosures.Good Investing...

I’d love to have real estate provide some financial freedom/flexibility and create a portfolio that I could eventually get my kids involved with and pass down to them, but I end up feeling frozen/stuck based on the factors above. 

This could manifest itself in additional damages and financial losses when they decide they don't want to put up with you any more.Also, Section 8 does require more work setting up, renewing, increasing rent, etc.

For example FHA guidelines say you can deny an ESA if they cause an undue financial burden, cause a direct threat to the health and safety of others (the letter from the neighbor supports this), or cause substantial physical damage to the property.

Only way you made money on this deal, and avoided everyting being eaten up with title & recording fees and transfer taxes, was by flipping the contract - also known as wholesaling.Why can't you just call it what it is?

I'm can record a Loom video response for you.Like any business model, you have to start with identifying the customer and where the demand is.